Bida, Niger State-92 years old controversial Islamic cleric, Alhaji Muhammad Bello Masaba, has debunked his rumoured death.
He described the rumour as the handiwork of ‘enemies,’ who would want to scuttle the wish of Allah for his existence.
Masaba became media attraction for marrying 86 wives, which he claimed was a devine order from Allah. This was contrary to marrying not more than four wives as Islamic injunction stipulated.
For daring what was believed to be the general norm in the Islamic world, Masaba as he is popularly called has been in the eye of the storm with some Islamic scholars and traditional institutions especially his marrying 86 wives and promising to add more.
The controversial Super polygamist is also said to possess healing powers as many of his wives are said to be women healed of one ailment or the other and thereafter became his wife and this at one time also pitched him against some Islamic clerics and Niger State government.
Masaba became the guest of Nigerian social media, awash since Saturday with news of his death at his Masaba quarters in the ancient city of Bida, but the octogenarian in a telephone interview said that he was ‘alive, hale and healthy’.
The controversial Islamic cleric whose roots had also been of debate however argued that death was an inevitable end to every human and that he would die at Allah’s appointed time. His words: “I am alive. I am not dead. Allah’s divine assignment must be carried out.
“Though death is the ultimate end of all, for me, I will fulfil my days and divine assignment.
I have heard the wicked rumour being peddled, but Allah is greater than all the perpetrators of this wicked rumour. Please, I am inviting you to come to Bida”.
According to Masaba, “I am now with all my children and other well wishers, some of them who also heard the death rumour. My health is in perfect condition and I have been attending to people since the wicked rumour went viral”.
A source within the cleric’s household also told our correspondent how the cleric’s home has been a beehive of activities since the rumour went viral through the social medial as people from all walks of life who could not visit have been calling to enquire about the veracity of the report.
“We have been receiving calls from all over the country since the enemies planted the fake death news of Baba. The panic the report has caused can only be imagined and that is why we have asked Baba to stay outside and address faithful”.