On November 17, 2025, inside the solemn halls of the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja, a moment unfolded that has since left Nigerians wondering whether they were witnessing a judicial conference — or the soft launch of a new political choir.
It was the opening ceremony of the 2025 All Nigeria Judges Conference, a supposedly sacrosanct gathering of the nation’s most senior judicial minds, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun. A place where rule of law is discussed, judicial independence is defended, and the constitution is the only anthem expected to echo.
Instead, what reportedly echoed through the hall was something quite different: the familiar rhythm of “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand” — a song deeply associated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially during the 2023 elections.
And Nigerians, quite justifiably, are still asking:
Why was a partisan anthem—instrumental or otherwise—playing at a judges’ conference?
A Moment That Sparked a National Quake
Renowned legal scholar and former NHRC chairman, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, ignited what is now a nationwide firestorm when he stated that the incident signalled “the moment… when Nigeria’s senior-most judges, led by CJN Kekere-Ekun, officially decamped to APC.”
According to him, after the CJN delivered an elaborate sermon on judicial independence, integrity, and constitutional duty, the hall reportedly transitioned into a most unexpected soundtrack — the APC-signature anthem. Judges were seen standing, clapping rhythmically, and at least symbolically participating in a moment many Nigerians believe should never have occurred in a room that houses the custodians of justice.
Whether the judges actually sang is still disputed. Some allege they did.
Others insist only the presidency band played an instrumental version.
One judge even reportedly claimed they didn’t recognize the tune.
A curious explanation — because the country certainly did.
If True, a Disturbing Political Prelude
Let us be clear: no one is accusing the judiciary of formally joining a political party.
But the nation is undeniably asking questions — sharp, uncomfortable ones.
For a judiciary already battling public perception of political influence, this moment, if proven, becomes more than just tone-deaf; it becomes symbolically catastrophic.
Judges standing — even unknowingly — to a political anthem at a state function blurs the very constitutional lines they are sworn to defend.
Because in a democracy:
⚖️ Judges don’t stand for political songs.
⚖️ Judges don’t clap to electoral anthems.
⚖️ Judges don’t allow partisan music to decorate their official gatherings.
If the incident occurred as alleged, it is not just a breach of etiquette.
It is a breach of institutional confidence.
A Judiciary Under Question — And Under Capture?
Nigeria has long wrestled with whispers of judicial capture — a gradual bending of the courts toward the will of the powerful.
But this incident, if true, is not a whisper.
It is a megaphone.
And a dangerous one.
Because if judges — the final arbiters of electoral disputes, corruption cases, constitutional matters, and national destiny — can be seen (or even accused of being seen) aligning themselves, however symbolically, with a ruling political party, then:
🔻 What becomes of public trust?
🔻 What becomes of impartiality?
🔻 What becomes of democracy?
This is why Nigerians are rightly disturbed.
And why this moment cannot be trivialised or brushed aside.
A judiciary that even appears to be humming along to the government’s political frequency risks collapsing the very idea of separation of powers.
Curiously, Silence From the Bench
In the days since the anthem controversy erupted, something equally striking has emerged:
🔸 Not one judge present has publicly condemned the act.
🔸 The National Judicial Council (NJC) has issued no clarification.
🔸 The National Judicial Institute has been equally silent.
Given the sensitivity of the moment, the silence is deafening.
A single sentence — “No judge sang any political song at the conference” — would have eased tensions.
Yet none has come.
And so the narrative deepens.
Nigeria’s Judiciary: Still Blind, But Not Deaf?
The judiciary is expected to be blind — blind to politics, blind to influence, blind to pressure.
But Nigeria now wonders whether, on November 17, 2025, at the NJI in Abuja, it also demonstrated that it is not deaf to partisan anthems.
Even if the judges never sang.
Even if the band acted alone.
Even if the entire affair is a misunderstanding.
It still should never have happened.
Because symbols matter.
Because perception matters.
Because the judiciary’s credibility is as important as its rulings.
A Dangerous Precedent for a Fragile Democracy
If this incident occurred as alleged — if partisan music was permitted, tolerated, or even ignored in a hall full of judges — then Nigeria stands at a dangerous crossroads.
Because:
⚠️ A judiciary that appears politically compromised threatens the nation more than bad politicians ever could.
⚠️ A judiciary that loses public trust endangers the very foundation of the republic.
⚠️ And a judiciary perceived as captured may one day preside over the burial of Nigeria’s democracy.
This is why this moment matters.
This is why Nigerians are alarmed.
This is why the judiciary must speak — loudly, clearly, unambiguously.
Until it does, the question remains:
Was this merely an unfortunate musical choice—
or the soundtrack of a system quietly slipping under capture?
.