By Francis Falola
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| Pa Bello Abubakar Masaba |
The Punch, had three years ago broken the news of the then 84 years old man having 86 wives. But today Masaba, who is from Bida, headquarters of Bida Local Government Area of Niger State, at 87, married his 91st wife, Fatimah Abubakar, on Friday in the town.
Masaba said the marriages collapsed due to acts of indiscipline, denying the allegation that the women were divorced for embracing western medicine.
He said, “I am a law abiding citizen, so I have never prevented health officials from immunising my children or those with me against child-killer diseases.
“If I refuse to use western medicine, it is because of my spiritual belief and the way Allah has been working with me. I bear no hatred or animosity against anybody who takes it.”
Fatima corroborated Masaba’s claim on the wedding, insisting that it was divine.
“To be frank with you, I was fascinated by Baba’s character, humility and behaviour. He is a great philanthropist and a man that is always ready to assist fellow human beings, irrespective of tribe, race or religion. He is my dream of a man, he takes perfect care of his wives and other people living with him,” she stated.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the officiating of the wedding between Masaba and 32-year-old Fatimah was presided over by Alhaji Shehu Lemu.
The octogenarian, who spoke in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Monday, described the marriage as divine.
“As you know, I don’t do things without the consent of Allah, I prayed and Allah said she was my wife and I should go ahead before I went ahead and marries her,” he stated.
Masaba, who also denied a recent newspapers report (not The Punch) giving his name as Nmodu Chinkangi, of Chinkagi village in Lavun Local Government Area of the state, said, “I’m Abubakar Bello Masaba of the Masaba’s Ruling House in Bida. My records while working with Bacita Sugar company is there, I have never in my life changed name or place of birth.”
He described Islam as a religion of peace, adding that adherents of the religion must embrace peace at all times.
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