The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State, Muhammad Gadaka, has come under fire after urging married women to divorce husbands who prevent them from voting for the ruling party.

Gadaka made the controversial remarks on Thursday at an APC campaign rally in Nangere, Yobe State, where he reportedly encouraged women to defy husbands who opposed their political choice.

“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 in a video shared by News Central.

The comment quickly triggered criticism from residents and Islamic scholars, who described it as irresponsible and provocative, particularly in a predominantly Muslim state where marriage and family values carry significant social and religious weight.

Critics argued that political disagreements should not be allowed to interfere with marital relationships or be used as a basis for encouraging divorce.

Amid the backlash, Gadaka apologised and withdrew the statement, insisting that it was not intended to encourage women to end their marriages.

In a video shared on Friday by the Facebook page of Yobe State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Abdullahi Bego, the APC chairman said his comment had been misconstrued.

“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,” Gadaka said.

The controversy comes only days after a similar political remark in neighbouring Borno State, where the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, reportedly threatened to flog people who refused to support the APC in the 2027 general elections.