Atiku Denounces Tinubu's Anthem at Judicial Gathering

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stated yesterday that it was improper for officials in the executive branch of government to recite Pre...

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stated yesterday that it was improper for officials in the executive branch of government to recite President Bola Tinubu's political slogan at a gathering of judges.

In a statement he personally signed, Atiku claimed that singing such biased songs at a conference of another branch of government, where Tinubu spoke about protecting integrity and respecting the dignity of the legal profession, was dishonest.

However, the National Judicial Institute (NJI) has labeled as deceptive and incorrect the posts spreading on social media that claim judges who attended the 2025 All Nigeria Judges Conference sang a political song showing support for Tinubu during the event on Monday.

However, Atiku stated: On Monday, I received a video clip from Channels TV's coverage of the opening session of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference. What I witnessed was nothing less than an attack on our national honor.

President Tinubu's personal political anthem, "On Your Mandate," was boldly played instead of the National Anthem following the speech by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekuns.

My initial reaction was to consider it a deepfake. However, after verifying that it was genuine—an actual depiction of events on the day President Tinubu addressed the judiciary about integrity and the rule of law, I anticipated a response from the Presidency or the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). (Yet) there was silence. Complete, overwhelming silence.

This event is not an isolated case. The APC government, led by Tinubu, has continuously worked to systematically take control of state institutions, suppress opposing voices, and guide Nigeria towards a de facto one-party system, according to the former vice president.

Sarcastically, he pointed out that on the very same day, Tinubu addressed Nigerian judges and delivered a lecture on preserving integrity and maintaining the dignity of their profession, emphasizing that trust is the essence of justice, and that public opinion must be strongly defended to maintain our democracy.

However, despite promoting morality, his administration permitted (or orchestrated) the playing of his own political campaign music before the entire Nigerian judiciary—a disturbing violation of protocol, ethics, and national dignity.

It is clear and without any doubt: substituting the National Anthem with "Tinubu's On Your Mandate" in a room filled with judges is reckless, shocking, humiliating, and extremely irresponsible.

It is the clearest indication so far that this administration is trying to pull the judiciary into the partisan conflicts of the APC, or possibly force a large number of Nigerian judges to take sides politically, Atiku said.

He expressed worries about how trust can be established when the executive branch openly introduces political propaganda during a serious judicial event.

How can judges administer justice without fear when Tinubu's supporters are working to blur the lines between government, political party, and individual goals?

Make it clear in the records: Nigerian judges took an oath to protect the Constitution, justice, and the rule of law, not to support the authority of Bola Ahmed Tinubu or any other person. This insult should be rejected by everyone who still upholds constitutional democracy, Atiku said.

However, in a response, NJI characterized the reports as deceptive and incorrect. Mr. Kolade Umoru, Head of Information, Media and Public Relations at NJI, stated on Wednesday that the claim is completely false, baseless, and does not represent the actual events that occurred during the ceremony.

As stated by the spokesperson, the National Anthem was the sole song performed together by all attendees at both the start and end of the opening ceremony.

No judge present at the event sang or recited any political song at any time during the program. The short performance of the melody "On Your Mandate" was not started, asked for, or supported by the judicial system. It was performed exclusively by the Guards Brigade Band as part of their formal procedure to accompany the President to the stage for his speech, according to the organization.

Umoru stated that the judiciary had no authority over the musical choices made by the Brigade, which functions under military ceremonial protocols, and mentioned that, out of proper respect for the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the judges stood up as the President approached the podium.

The declaration confirmed that the judiciary will remain completely impartial, strongly dedicated to constitutional fairness, and entirely separated from political involvement or any signs of political loyalty.

The 2025 All Nigeria Judges Conference is a mandatory and professional meeting aimed at enhancing the justice system and boosting public trust in the judiciary. Any effort to undermine the seriousness of the event or suggest political intentions behind judicial officers is regrettable, incorrect, and harmful to the public.

We request the public and media to show caution, confirm details, and refrain from spreading false information that could harm the credibility of national organizations. The judiciary will keep fulfilling its duty with honor, autonomy, and steadfast commitment to the constitution, the statement mentioned.

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