I feel sad being blackmailed as religious bigot — Sen. Binta

The only female senator from the North, Sen. Binta Masi,
has expressed sadness over moves by political opponents to portray
her as a religious bigot.

Masi made this known while speaking with newsmen on Thursday in
her Ward, Jigalambu, in Michika Local Government Area of
Adamawa.

She said that her political opponents had misrepresented her
recent testimony in church to mark her 50th birthday, where she
spoke on her conversion to Christianity at a tender age, as
insulting Islam and Muslims.

“I am not a religious bigot. I come from a family with religious
tolerance where we have Muslims and Christians.

“My grandfather is a Christian; my father and mother are Muslims
and we are living peacefully with other Muslim and Christian
siblings and family members.”

Masi, representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, noted that
she was first elected into the House of Representatives in Kaduna
in a constituency where Muslims were in the majority.

She further said that in Adamawa, Muslims also supported her to
emerge a senator and wondered why some people who could not
confront her on issues, resorted to whipping up sentiments to get
at her.

“Politicians need to realise the danger of religious sentiments,
particularly in our area and be kind enough to concentrate on
issue-based campaign.”

Meanwhile, the father of the senator, Alhaji Garba Tumba, who
also spoke at the event, decried reports alleging that the senator
was maltreating him because he is a Muslim.

“Politicians need to show the fear of God and decorum in their
campaigns instead of dangerous blackmail.

“I have no problem with my daughter and other siblings. We are
living together as a happy family,” the Octogenarian said.

Similarly, Malam Lawan Abubakar and Abubakar Kaja,
representatives of the Muslim Council from the senatorial district,
said that the senator, through her words and actions, had never
shown any form of discrimination to Muslim communities.

“We were shocked when we heard that Binta had insulted Islam and
Muslims being circulated and wondered what those circulating this
story want to achieve.
“This is bad and dangerous politicking that must be stopped.

“We have come a long way with Binta and have never regretted
voting for her,” Abubakar said. (NAN)

The only female senator from the North, Sen. Binta Masi,
has expressed sadness over moves by political opponents to portray
her as a religious bigot.

Masi made this known while speaking with newsmen on Thursday in
her Ward, Jigalambu, in Michika Local Government Area of
Adamawa.

She said that her political opponents had misrepresented her
recent testimony in church to mark her 50th birthday, where she
spoke on her conversion to Christianity at a tender age, as
insulting Islam and Muslims.

“I am not a religious bigot. I come from a family with religious
tolerance where we have Muslims and Christians.

“My grandfather is a Christian; my father and mother are Muslims
and we are living peacefully with other Muslim and Christian
siblings and family members.”

Masi, representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, noted that
she was first elected into the House of Representatives in Kaduna
in a constituency where Muslims were in the majority.

She further said that in Adamawa, Muslims also supported her to
emerge a senator and wondered why some people who could not
confront her on issues, resorted to whipping up sentiments to get
at her.

“Politicians need to realise the danger of religious sentiments,
particularly in our area and be kind enough to concentrate on
issue-based campaign.”

Meanwhile, the father of the senator, Alhaji Garba Tumba, who
also spoke at the event, decried reports alleging that the senator
was maltreating him because he is a Muslim.

“Politicians need to show the fear of God and decorum in their
campaigns instead of dangerous blackmail.

“I have no problem with my daughter and other siblings. We are
living together as a happy family,” the Octogenarian said.

Similarly, Malam Lawan Abubakar and Abubakar Kaja,
representatives of the Muslim Council from the senatorial district,
said that the senator, through her words and actions, had never
shown any form of discrimination to Muslim communities.

“We were shocked when we heard that Binta had insulted Islam and
Muslims being circulated and wondered what those circulating this
story want to achieve.
“This is bad and dangerous politicking that must be stopped.

“We have come a long way with Binta and have never regretted
voting for her,” Abubakar said. (NAN)