Renowned legal scholar and former Chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has ignited a firestorm of criticism after accusing the country’s top judiciary of formally aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during President Bola Tinubu’s address at the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference. Odinkalu’s scathing X post, described the moment as “the moment… when Nigeria’s senior-most judges, led by CJN Kekere-Ekun, officially decamped to @OfficialAPCNg,” in reaction to judges enthusiastically singing the pro-Tinubu anthem “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand.”
The biennial conference, held at the National Judicial Institute Abuja, brought together more than 1,000 judicial officers from federal and state courts across Nigeria. President Tinubu, who declared the event open on November 17, urged judges to uphold integrity and resist “justice for sale,” stressing the judiciary’s role as the “last hope of the common man.” However, the ceremony took a controversial turn when, immediately after Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun’s address on judicial independence, the hall erupted into a rendition of the APC’s signature campaign song.
Widely circulated video footage captured rows of blacksuited judges rising to their feet, clapping rhythmically, and joining in the chorus of “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand,” a track popularized during Tinubu’s 2023 election bid as a pledge of unwavering loyalty to his leadership. The song, often heard at APC rallies, features lyrics affirming steadfast support for Tinubu’s “renewed hope” agenda, with attendees swaying and smiling as the president entered the venue.
….History will record this as the moment on 17 Nov 2025 when #Nigeria‘s senior-most judges, led by CJN Kekere-Ekun, officially decamped to @OfficialAPCNg!! pic.twitter.com/JDQTaN08yA
— Chidi Odinkalu, CGoF (@ChidiOdinkalu) November 18, 2025
CJN Kekere-Ekun had just concluded a 20-minute speech extolling the virtues of an impartial judiciary, warning against external pressures and calling for reforms to bolster public trust. “The judiciary remains the bulwark of democracy,” she declared, adding that “no amount of reform can succeed if integrity is compromised.” Yet, minutes later, the same assembly transitioned into what critics describe as a display of partisan loyalty, raising concerns about the separation of powers.
Odinkalu, in his viral post late on November 17, expressed disbelief before confirming the reports. “I was initially inclined not to believe the rumour. The CJN spent her speech preaching about judicial independence. After she was done, the judges did ‘On Your Mandate We Shall Stand.’ They will not be able to blame any Navy Lt. for this one!!” The quip referenced the recent Wike Yerima standoff, implying that even alleged military overreach pales beside what he views as judicial capitulation.
By Tuesday morning, Odinkalu escalated his criticism, tying the spectacle to national tragedy. “On the day it broke that a bunch of terrorists had immolated a Nigerian General in Borno and another band of terrorists had abducted 25 female students and killed their VP in Kebbi, the C-in-C did not see fit to lower the flag. Rather he got judges to sing On Your Mandate. Tueh!” Accompanied by another video clip, the post framed the anthem as not just partisan but insensitive amid worsening insecurity.
Capping his thread, Odinkalu declared: “History will record this as the moment on 17 Nov 2025 when Nigeria’s senior-most judges, led by CJN Kekere-Ekun, officially decamped to @OfficialAPCNg!!” The accompanying video has drawn thousands of views and triggered widespread debate.
Lawyers and civil society groups have reacted strongly. “This isn’t whatever democracy is designed to be. Submitting all institutions to one individual is only going to lead to perilous places,” tweeted governance advocate Abdulherphyz, noting that the song has also been heard at National Assembly sessions. A Nairaland thread titled “Nigeria Judges Are Now Singing ‘On Your Mandate’ While Standing” has attracted hundreds of comments, with users lamenting that the judiciary is “gone” and “the last hope no more.”
See the National Judicial Council (NJC) comment below:
