Super-Polygamist, Masaba, Dies at 93
The controversial superpolygamist and Islamic preacher, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Bello Masaba is dead. He died yesterday afternoon after a brief illness in his Bida residence. He was 93 years.
His personal assistant, Alhaji Mutairu Salawudeen Bello, confirmed the development in an interview with our correspondent.
“The Janiza prayer and interment is slated for today by 10am,” Bello said. He said the late octogenarian had fore-told his death and was prepared for it.
“Baba had told us that his time was up. He told me personally during his last moment that he had completed his divine assignment and was ready to meet his creator.
“He told us to remain dedicated to the cause of Islam and urged us all not to deviate from all his teachings on righteousness, piety and total submission to the will of Allah. He warned us to shun adultery because it is ‘Hallal’ before Allah,” Bello said.
Masaba was said to have slumped on Friday at his residence on Kota-Woro road, Masaba ward in Bida, triggering rumour of his death.
The rumour went virile following his inability to attend his popular Saturday morning Islamic teaching which attracts participants from within and outside Niger State.
The apprehension over his status grew as family members and aides could not immediately pick calls and return text messages to confirm the development.
His death was confirmed about 2 pm. Masaba became popular when the story of his 86 wives and 170 children went public in 2008.
There was public outcry from Islamic clerics and the local authority who called for his head then. He was persuaded by the local authorities to divorce 82 of his wives to bring the number to four, according to Islamic injunction, but he had stood his ground.
“If God permits me, I will marry more than 86 wives. A normal human being cannot marry 86 - but I can, only by the grace of God,” he had said.