Sheikh Musa Lukwa, a Sokoto-based cleric, on Tuesday, led his followers to observe two raka prayers to mark the end of Ramadan.
The action was in dissonance with the declaration of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
The Sultan had declared Wednesday as the first of Shawwal and Eid-el-Fitr day following the inability to see the moon on Monday.
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The council said the crescent moon was not sighted on Monday, the same view earlier espoused by Saudi Arabia authorities.
But Lukwa, who has over the years disobeyed the Sultan’s directive on moon sighting, led prayers at his Juma’at mosque around 8:30am.
Justifying the action, Lukwa said the moon of Shawwal was sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic on Monday.
“There were reports of sightings on the new crescent in many places, including here in Nigeria, but the one that we were sure of is that of Niger Republic.” Lukwa quoted to have said.
(Daily Trust)