Guards Brigade Band played “On Your Mandate,” not Judges – NJI denise singing Tinubu song

The National Judicial Institute (NJI) has dismissed as “entirely false and unfounded” reports claiming that judges sang the political tune “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand” during the opening ceremony of the 2025 All Nigeria Judges Conference in Abuja.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Institute’s Head of Information, Media and Public Relations, Kolade Umoru, clarified that the only song performed collectively by participants was the National Anthem, sung at both the start and conclusion of the programme.

The NJI explained that the brief rendition of “On Your Mandate” was played solely by the Guards Brigade Band as part of its ceremonial duties while ushering the President to the podium.

The judiciary had no control over the band’s selections, which follow military ceremonial protocols.

Judges only stood out of respect for the President’s office, not in support of any political message, the NJI said.

Reaffirming its commitment to neutrality, the Institute 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 NJI condemned attempts to politicize judicial officers, calling such claims “unfortunate, misleading, and a disservice to the public,” and urged media practitioners and citizens to verify information before sharing it.

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