Judges did not sing ‘on your mandate’ for Tinubu – NJI

The National Judicial Institute (NJI) has clarified that judges who attended the opening ceremony of its recent conference did not sing any political solidarity anthem for President Bola Tinubu. Reports had circulated that judicial officers at the 2025 All Nigeria Judges Conference in Abuja on Monday joined in singing “On Your Mandate,” a political tune, […]

The National Judicial Institute (NJI) has clarified that judges who attended the opening ceremony of its recent conference did not sing any political solidarity anthem for President Bola Tinubu.

Reports had circulated that judicial officers at the 2025 All Nigeria Judges Conference in Abuja on Monday joined in singing “On Your Mandate,” a political tune, after it was played to usher in President Tinubu.

However, the NJI, which organised the conference, described the reports as false, insisting that no judge participated in any political chant.

In a statement on Wednesday, the NJI’s Head of Information, Media and Public Relations, Kolade Umoru, urged the public and the media to exercise restraint, verify information, and avoid amplifying falsehoods capable of undermining the integrity of national institutions said “The brief rendition of the tune ‘On Your Mandate’ was not initiated, requested, or endorsed by the judiciary. It was played solely by the Guards Brigade Band as part of their ceremonial protocol to usher 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.

“Out of deference to the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, judges rose to their feet as the President walked to the podium.”