The Bida, Niger State-based cleric famed for his controversial marriage to 86 wives, Alhaji Bello Masaba, has declared that he has a “divine” assignment which he must finish before his death.
He made the declaration in an interview with Saturday Tribune in reaction to a death rumour about him, said to have started last Saturday and which sparked several reactions on social media.
“I am alive; I am not dead. Allah’s assignment must be carried out. Although death is the ultimate end of all, I will fulfil my days and divine assignment.“What I am doing is divine. It is an assignment and I will keep doing it till the end of my time. I want to advise those fighting against me to stop because they are waging war against God, their Creator,” he said.
Masaba had stirred controversy in the state for violating the Islamic injunction which forbids a Muslim man to marry more than four wives. He has over 100 children
Last Sunday, it was gathered, several people in the town visited the man’s three-storey house located at Kota Woro, Masaba Ward to know if he truly was dead.
The sympathisers were, however, said to have been shocked to meet the 92-year-old man sitting on the ground floor of the house receiving visitors and assuring them that he was hale and hearty.
Alhaji Masaba described the news of his death as imaginary, emphasising that he would only die at God’s appointed time.