SOKOTO, 17 February 2026 – The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has officially directed the Muslim Ummah to begin the search for the Ramadan 1447 A.H. crescent moon this evening. While the sighting marks the start of the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, the Sultan’s broad-ranging statement has also sparked a national conversation on security and the 2027 electoral timetable.
The Lunar Countdown: Wednesday or Thursday?
Following the astronomical transition into the 29th day of Sha’aban 1447 A.H., the Sultanate Council has mandated the faithful to observe the sky immediately after sunset today, Tuesday, February 17.
To ensure both spiritual and scientific accuracy, the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) is collaborating with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). If a credible sighting is verified tonight, the Sultan will proclaim Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan. If the moon remains elusive, Sha’aban will complete 30 days, pushing the start of the fast to Thursday, February 19.
Designated Reporting Lines: The Sultanate Council urges anyone with a credible sighting to contact the following numbers for verification:
0803 715 7100,0806 630 3077,0803 596 5322,0803 594 5903
The INEC Confrontation: A “Disenfranchisement” Risk
In a move that has quickly shifted from religious to political, the NSCIA expressed profound dissatisfaction with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The 2027 General Election timetable, released earlier this year, places the presidential and National Assembly polls directly within the Ramadan period. Even more concerning for the Council is the gubernatorial election, which currently overlaps with the probable date for Eid al-Fitr.
Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Secretary-General of the NSCIA, warned that such a schedule could disenfranchise millions of voters who would be focused on their religious obligations. The Council has demanded an “immediate review” of the dates to ensure that civic duties do not collide with the sanctity of the fast.
“Double Victims”: Security and Media Bias
The Sultan’s address did not shy away from the harsh security reality in Northern Nigeria. Specifically, he noted the emergence of the “Lakurawa” militant group in Sokoto and the lingering trauma from the December 2025 U.S. air strikes in the Tangaza district.
The monarch argued that Nigerian Muslims have become “double victims.” On one hand, they face the brutality of insurgency and banditry. On the other, they face a “heightened Islamophobic hysteria” in media narratives that attempt to criminalize the faith. The statement referenced a largely underreported incident in Kwara State involving the murder of approximately 200 Muslims as evidence of lopsided national reportage.
Call for Resilience
Despite the economic hardships—with over 90% of the regional population currently living below the poverty line, the Sultan urged the Ummah to remain steadfast. He encouraged the virtues of charity (Zakat) and communal support, reminding the faithful that “with hardship comes ease.”
As daily markets across major cities in Africa buzz with pre-Ramadan energy, the Sultanate has called for fervent prayers for national tranquility and for leaders to govern with the fear of God.
