Sokoto Cleric Ignores Sultan’s Directive, Leads Eid Prayer

Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, on Thursday, led his followers in observing Eid al-Fitr prayers in defiance to the directive of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, who has declared Friday as the official Sallah day.

The cleric conducted the two-unit Eid prayer at his Mabera mosque at approximately 9:10 a.m..

He had earlier addressed his followers after the Sultan’s announcement that the Shawwal crescent moon had not been sighted anywhere in Nigeria.

In the message that later circulated on social media, Lukuwa justified the decision, citing reports of moon sighting in neighbouring Niger Republic.

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According to him, trusted contacts in the country verified the development, prompting his group to proceed with the Eid celebration.

“Niger Republic is very close to us—about 100 kilometres away,” he said. “If we accept reports from cities like Kano or even Lagos, which are farther away, there is no reason to reject confirmed sightings from a neighbouring country.”

He emphasized that the decision was not an act of disregard for the Sultan’s authority but rather adherence to religious teachings.

“We usually follow the Sultan’s directive in starting and ending Ramadan. However, when it is clear that the moon has been sighted, we must act in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet, even if it differs from the Sultan’s declaration,” he stated.

Lukuwa also referenced the historical role of the late Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi in announcing moon sightings before the responsibility was centralized under the Sultan for the sake of unity within the Muslim community.

He maintained that the Sultan’s decision in this instance was incorrect and insisted that his followers would not comply.

Separate accounts indicate that Lukuwa informed congregants around midnight of the reported moon sighting and instructed them to return for Eid prayers the following morning.

This is not the first time the cleric and his followers would disregard the Sultan’s official position on the timing of Eid celebrations.