The National Judicial Institute (NJI) has debunked social media rumours claiming that judges sang the political chant “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand” during the opening of the 2025 All Nigeria Judges Conference in Abuja, calling the reports “entirely false and unfounded.”
In a statement on Wednesday, Head of Information, Media and Public Relations Kolade Umoru said the claims misrepresented the event and were “an attempt to politicise a solemn judicial gathering.”
According to the NJI, the only song performed collectively by participants was the National Anthem, sung at both the beginning and end of the programme.
The brief rendition of “On Your Mandate” came solely from the Guards Brigade Band as part of its ceremonial duties while ushering the President to the podium.
“The judiciary had no control over the musical selections of the Brigade, which operates under military ceremonial procedures,” the NJI clarified.
Judges stood only out of respect for the office of the President, not as an endorsement of any political message.
The NJI reaffirmed that the judiciary “remains strictly non-partisan, deeply committed to constitutional neutrality, and wholly insulated from political activities or symbols of political allegiance.”
Describing the viral claims as “unfortunate, misleading, and a disservice to the public,” the Institute urged citizens and media practitioners to verify information before sharing to avoid undermining trust in national institutions.
