Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized what he termed a “shocking desecration of national protocol” after President Bola Tinubu’s campaign anthem, “On Your Mandate,” was played during the opening session of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference.

 

A video captured by Channels TV and circulated on Monday showed the partisan song being played at the end of an address by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. Although initial reactions questioned the authenticity of the footage, it was later confirmed to be genuine.

 

Atiku, reacting in a strongly worded statement, described the incident as an “assault on national dignity” and criticized both the Presidency and the CJN’s office for failing to provide any explanation since the clip surfaced, calling the silence “deafening.”

 

He argued that the development reflects what he believes to be a broader trend of institutional compromise under the Tinubu administration. According to him, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been working to weaken democratic safeguards, suppress opposition, and steer Nigeria toward what he described as a “de facto one-party state.”

 

The former Vice President also drew attention to what he viewed as a stark contradiction: the incident occurred on the same day President Tinubu addressed members of the judiciary, emphasizing the importance of integrity, public trust, and ethical standards.

 

Atiku wrote:

“On Monday, I was sent a video clip from Channels TV’s coverage of the opening session of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference. What I saw was nothing short of an assault on our national dignity: ‘On Your Mandate,’ President Tinubu’s personal political anthem, was brazenly played in place of the National Anthem at the end of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun’s speech.”

 

He said his first reaction was to suspect the footage was a deepfake, but once it was confirmed as authentic, he expected a formal response. None followed.

 

Atiku further alleged that the incident fit into a pattern of the APC attempting to “capture” state institutions.

“This incident is not isolated. The Tinubu-led APC government has consistently pursued a systematic capture of state institutions, crushing opposition voices, and steering Nigeria toward a de facto one-party state.”

 

He added that the playing of the partisan anthem in a hall filled with judges was “reckless, scandalous, disgraceful, and deeply irresponsible,” warning that it risked dragging the judiciary into partisan politics or creating pressure on judges to align with the ruling party.

 

“How can confidence be built when the executive arm openly inserts partisan propaganda into a solemn judicial gathering?” he asked.

“Let the records be clear: Nigerian judges swore an oath to defend the Constitution, justice, and the rule of law, not to stand ‘on the mandate’ of Bola Ahmed Tinubu or any other individual.”

 

Atiku called on Nigerians and stakeholders within the justice sector to condemn the development, insisting that the independence of the judiciary must remain sacrosanct in order to safeguard constitutional democracy.