“On Your Mandate We Shall Stand”: NJI Says Judiciary Had No Control Over Musical Selections Of Guards Brigade Band

By Adesina Soyooye

The National Judicial Institute, NJI, has risen in strong defence of the Nigerian Judiciary, and Nigerian Judges, over the singing of a political song, “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand” at the All Nigerian Judges Conference, declared open by President Bola Tinubu. The song is seen as pledging allegiance to the President instead of the Constitution and the Republic.

Condemnation, like claps of thunder, had greeted the playing of the political song at the Conference.

The Guards Brigade Band had, briefly, played the song as the President walked down from  the podium after delivering his address to the Judges.

As he walked back, the Judges, as is required by protocol, stood up in reverence to the office of the President.

But since then, not a few Nigerians have come down hard on them, insisting that they have committed sacrilege and, finally; sold out to the President.

Activist and Law Professor, Chidi Odinkalu, in angry reaction, said  “The Judiciary has defected to the APC.” He had a number of supporters. Some argued that the Judges should have openly protested, or sat down, while the song was being played, instead of being on their feet and joining in singing the chorus.

However, the NJI has dismissed the allegation against the Judges as unfounded, bundle of lies, mischievous, and a deliberate effort to run down the image of the Nigerian Judiciary.

In a statement issued by its Head, Information, Media and Public Relations, Kolade Umoru, the NJI said nothing could be further from the truth.

The statement explained that no Judge sang the “On Your Mandate  We Shall Stand” song, and insisted that the only song they sang was the National Anthem.

The statement also explained that the Judges neither requested for the song, nor  suggest to the Guards Brigade Band, to play the song. More important, they had no control in t choosing/selecting for the Band, which songs to play or not, as it was strictly a protocol affair.

It said: “The Judiciary had no control over the musical selections of the Guards Brigade which operates under military ceremonial procedures.”

It further explained why the Judges were on their feet. “Out of due 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.”

The statement vouched for the integrity and non-partisanship of the Judiciary and urged members of the public and the media “to exercise restraint, verify information, and avoid amplifying falsehoods capable of undermining the integrity of national institutions.”

Following, is the full text of the statement.

RE-FALSE REPORTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA REGARDING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 2025 ALL NIGERIA JUDGES CONFERENCE

“The attention of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), has been drawn to the several misleading and inaccurate reports  circulating on social media suggesting that Judges in attendance at the opening ceremony of the 2015 All Judges Conference sang a political chorus (“On Your Mandate We Shall Stand”) in allegiance to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“This claim is entirely false, unfounded, and does not reflect the events that transpired at the ceremony.

“For the avoidance of doubt:

“1.The National Anthem was the only song rendered collectively by all participants at both the commencement and conclusion of the Opening Ceremony.

“2. No Judge in attendance sang, or chanted any political song at any point during the programme.

“3. 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.

“4. Out of due 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.

“5. The Judiciary remains strictly non-partisan, deeply committed to constitutional neutrality, and wholly insulated from political activities or symbols of political allegiance.

“The 2025 All Nigeria Judges Conference is a statutory and professional gathering focused on strengthening the justice system and reinforcing public confidence in the Judiciary. Any attempt to distort the solemnity of the event or attribute political motives to judicial officers is unfortunate, misleading, and a disservice to the public.

“We urge members of the public and the media to exercise restraint, verify information, and avoid amplifying falsehoods capable of undermining the integrity of national institutions.

“The Judiciary will continue to uphold its oath of office with dignity, independence, and unwavering fidelity to the Constitution.

Kolade Umoru
Head, Information, Media and Public Relations
National Judicial Institute.”