By Ghazali Ibrahim
A Sokoto-based Islamic cleric has sparked controversy after leading Eid-el-Fitr prayers on Thursday in defiance of the directive issued by the Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who had declared Friday as the official day for the celebration across Nigeria.
The cleric, identified as Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, reportedly conducted the Eid prayer with his followers despite the Sultanate Council’s announcement that Thursday would mark the 30th day of Ramadan due to the non-sighting of the Shawwal crescent.
According to multiple reports, the decision to hold prayers a day earlier followed claims of moon sighting in neighbouring Niger Republic, which the cleric and his followers relied on instead of the official Nigerian position.
The Sultan, who also serves as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, had announced that no verified reports of moon sighting were received from across the country, thereby fixing Friday, March 20, 2026, as Eid-el-Fitr day.
Islamic authorities in Nigeria traditionally rely on coordinated reports from national moon-sighting committees to ensure a unified celebration.
However, differing interpretations and reliance on external sightings have occasionally led to parallel observances in parts of the country.
The development in Sokoto has reignited conversations around religious authority and compliance, especially in northern Nigeria where the Sultan’s pronouncements are widely regarded as binding for the Muslim faithful.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official sanction announced against the cleric, but the incident has drawn mixed reactions, with some supporting independent moon sightings while others stress the need for unity in religious observance.
The situation underscores recurring challenges in harmonising Eid celebrations across regions, despite efforts by religious leaders to maintain a common position nationwide.
