In defiance to the directive of the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III that eid-el-Fitr prayers be observed on Thursday, May 13, Muslim News can confirm that prayers were held in two states of the federation on Wednesday, May 12.
Renowned scholar, Sheikh Dahir Usman Bauchi and the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh AbdulGaniyu Abubakry Agbotomokekere led Muslim congregations in eid prayers, saying the Ramadan fast has successfully come to completion.
In Ibadan, the prayer which held at the Ibadan Central Eid praying ground, Agodi had in attendance prominent personalities like the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
Others are former Governor of the State, Chief Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Olawale Abdul-Mojeed Mogbonjubola and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Sustainable Development Goals, Mr. Kunle Yusuf.
Agbotomokekere had earlier announced on his Facebook Page on Tuesday morning that Ramadan had ended on Tuesday and that he was going to lead the Eid prayer Wednesday morning.
It was learnt that the Chief Imam and his followers started their fast a day earlier than the day which was announced by the Sultan.
Based on the counting by the Chief Imam therefore, Ramadan had completed thirty (30) on Tuesday.
In a related development, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi also conducted the eid prayers at his residence in Bauchi on Wednesday.
One of the cleric’s children, Tijjani Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, led the congregation with the cleric in attendance.
Meanwhile, Muslim News findings show that a whole lot of Muslims did not terminate the Ramadan fast today in compliance with the Sultan’s directive and will be observing the eid prayers tomorrow.
