No judge sang ‘on your mandate we shall stand’ for Tinubu, NJI clarifies

The National Judicial Institute, NJI, has dismissed as “entirely false and unfounded” reports circulating on social media alleging that judges sang the political chorus “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand” during the opening ceremony of the 2025 All Nigeria Judges Conference, in Abuja.

In a statement by its Head of Information, Media and Public Relations, Kolade Umoru, on Wednesday, the NJI said the claims misrepresented what transpired at the event and amounted to an attempt to politicise a solemn judicial gathering.

According to the Institute, the only song rendered collectively by participants at the opening ceremony was the National Anthem, which was taken at both the beginning and end of the programme.

The statement explained that the brief rendition of the tune “On Your Mandate” originated solely from the Guards Brigade Band, which played it as part of its ceremonial protocol while ushering the President to the podium for his address.

“The judiciary had no control over the musical selections of the Brigade, which operates under military ceremonial procedures,” the NJI clarified.

It added that judges only rose to their feet out of respect for the office of the President, in line with established protocol, and not in endorsement of any political message.

Reaffirming its neutrality, the NJI stressed that the judiciary “remains strictly non-partisan, deeply committed to constitutional neutrality, and wholly insulated from political activities or symbols of political allegiance.”

The Institute described attempts to attribute political motives to judicial officers as “unfortunate, misleading, and a disservice to the public.”

It urged citizens and media practitioners to verify information before sharing, warning against the spread of falsehoods capable of undermining public confidence in national institutions.