…Accuses CJN Kekere-Ekun of partisanship
Renowned legal scholar and former Chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC), 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 the2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference.
Odinkalu’s scathing X post, described the moment as “the moment…when Nigeria’s senior-most judges, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kekere-Ekun, officially decamped to @OfficialAPCNg”, in reaction to judges enthusiastically singing the pro-Tinubu anthem: “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand!”.
The bi-ennial conference, which was held at the NationalJudicial 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 CJN Kudirat 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 popularised 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.
