‘Divorce your husband if he stops you from voting APC’ — Yobe APC Chairman

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State, Muhammad Gadaka, has sparked controversy after urging married women whose husbands prevent them from voting for the party to leave their marriages.

Gadaka made the statement during a campaign rally in Nangere Local Government Area of the state, where he told women to choose APC over marital disagreements.

“If your husband won’t allow you to vote for APC, stand up to him and seek a divorce. If you leave the marriage, I will pay your dowry and marry you,” he said.

The comment, which was captured in a video shared online, has triggered criticism, with some residents and Islamic scholars describing the remark as provocative and inappropriate.

Following the backlash, Gadaka later apologised, saying his statement was only a joke and was not intended to encourage women to end their marriages.

“My statement was just a joke and does not in any way represent the ideals I stand for or intended to encourage divorce among married people,” he said.

The Yobe APC chairman added that he withdrew the comment and apologised for any misunderstanding caused by his words.

The controversy comes amid increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several politicians facing criticism over statements made during campaign events.

Days earlier, Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, also sparked outrage after threatening to flog people who refused to support the APC.