BREAKING: Sokoto Cleric Defies Sultan, Leads Eid Prayer — Proves Sultan Not Nigeria’s Sole Muslim Leader, Justifies Yoruba Decision to Follow Own Imams

A Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, has openly disregarded the directive of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, leading his followers in observing Eid prayers on Thursday after citing moon sighting in neighbouring Niger Republic, despite the Sultan’s declaration that Friday was the official Sallah day.

This dramatic defiance from a northern cleric in Sokoto itself, the Sultan’s own domain, sends a powerful message: the Sultan’s authority over Islamic leadership is not absolute, even in the North.

For Yoruba Muslims who have long asserted their right to follow the League of Imams and Alfas rather than wait for Sokoto’s declaration, this incident validates their position. If a cleric in Sokoto can reject the Sultan’s directive, then Yoruba Muslims are fully justified in relying on their own qualified Imams.

The Sultan remains a respected figure. But he is not, and has never been, and will never be the sole leader of all Muslims in Nigeria. And today’s events in Sokoto have proven it beyond doubt.See more, details. .