Ogun Muslim leaders defy Sultan’s directive, postpone Eid-el-Fitr celebration

Muslim leaders in Egbaland, Ogun State, have opted to observe Eid-el-Fitr a day later than the date declared by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.

The Sultan had announced Sunday as the official Eid day, following Saudi Arabia’s confirmation of the sighting of the Shawwal moon, marking the conclusion of Ramadan.

The decision meant that Ramadan this year lasted 29 days, with several Muslim communities in Nigeria and across the world celebrating Eid-el-Fitr on Sunday. However, in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, the Lantoro Eid praying ground remained closed, leaving some worshippers in confusion.

Lantoro is traditionally the central praying ground where the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sa’ad Bamgbola, leads government officials and other faithful in prayers. However, on Sunday morning, the ground was deserted, as Egba Muslim leaders chose to schedule the Eid prayer for Monday instead.

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Many Muslims who had gathered for the prayer were left stranded. A retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Lanre Bankole, was among those who arrived at the Lantoro Eid ground but had to redirect his convoy after learning of the postponement.

One of the Egba Muslim leaders, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the decision, stating, “We’re conducting Eid prayer tomorrow. Nothing is happening. Our leader said the sallah prayer should hold tomorrow. So, we don’t have a choice.”

When asked whether this move contradicted the Sultan’s directive, he simply replied, “We’ll see tomorrow.”

The delay caused frustration among some worshippers, including Adeyemi Adams, who lamented the lack of unity among Muslim leaders. “If we want to go to other mosques, most of them have conducted prayers by 9 a.m. So, we are stranded. We don’t know what to do. And since we know what to do, we will go back to our various houses,” he said.

Adams attributed the situation to discord among religious leaders. “It’s simply because the unity is not that strong. Since we have chosen the Sultan of Sokoto to be the Muslim leader in Nigeria, we must follow him.”

He further questioned the decision, stating, “Had it been Saudi Arabia had announced sighting of the moon’s crescent but the Sultan said otherwise, I will not be saying this. But they have said the same thing. Then, what’s our problem?

“We should blame our Muslim leaders here for not complying with the person they have solely agreed to be the leader of Islam in Nigeria,” Adams added.

(DAILY TRUST)