Yobe APC Chairman Apologises After Telling Women to Leave Husbands Over 2027 Vote

Yobe State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammad Gadaka, has apologised after urging women to leave husbands who oppose their support for the ruling party in the 2027 elections.

Gadaka made the controversial remark on Thursday during an APC rally in Nangere Local Government Area, where he also told supporters that he would marry any woman whose husband divorced her for backing the party.

Addressing party supporters in Hausa, the APC chairman spoke about the resilience of the party’s political movement in Yobe and said new members would have opportunities to rise into leadership positions.

“The prayers offered 20 years ago were powerful, which is why the movement has not collapsed,” Gadaka said before making the remark that triggered criticism.

“Tell your sister that if her husband does not agree and divorces her, I will pay her bride price and marry her,” he told the gathering.

The statement sparked backlash, prompting Gadaka to issue an apology several hours after the rally. In a 43-second video, he said his words had been misunderstood and attempted to explain the cultural context behind the comment.

Gadaka said the remark was intended as a joke linked to the traditional joking relationship between the Gamawa and Kare-Kare ethnic groups. He also identified himself as being from Fika Local Government Area and said the comments were made during a political programme in Zone B of Nangere.

The Yobe APC chairman acknowledged that the statement had caused offence and withdrew it, saying he had a responsibility as a political leader to clarify his position.

“However, my statement was misunderstood by the public. As a leader, I want to clarify that I reject that misunderstood statement, and I sincerely apologise to everyone,” he said.