The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Yobe State, Muhammad Gadaka, has apologised after asking married women whose husbands stop them from voting for the party to seek divorce, promising to pay their dowries.
Gadaka made the comment during a campaign rally in Nangere, Yobe State, on Thursday, according to Arise News.
In a video shared by News Central, he urged women to leave their marriages if their husbands refused to support the APC.
“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 drew criticism from residents and Islamic scholars, who called it reckless and provocative and warned that it could harm family values.
Amid the backlash, Gadaka apologised and withdrew the statement.
In a video posted on Facebook by Yobe State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Abdullahi Bego, on Friday, he said his words had been misunderstood.
“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.
“I offer apologies for my statement, and I hereby withdraw it,” he added.
The controversy came days after Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, was criticised for threatening to flog people who refused to support the APC in the 2027 election.
