The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Yobe State, Mohammed Gadaka, has apologised and withdrawn a controversial remark in which he urged married women to leave their husbands if they were prevented from voting for the party in the 2027 general elections.
Gadaka made the comment on Thursday while addressing hundreds of people who had defected to the APC during a political gathering in Nangere, Yobe State. He reportedly told women whose husbands would not allow them to vote for the APC to leave their marriages, adding that he would pay the bride price and marry any woman who did so.
The statement quickly generated criticism, with residents and Islamic scholars reportedly describing it as reckless and provocative and warning that linking marital relationships to political allegiance could create unnecessary tension within families.
The controversy intensified after a video of Gadaka's remarks circulated publicly, drawing attention to the comments at a time when political parties are stepping up grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Gadaka subsequently moved to distance himself from the remarks. In a 42-second video shared by Mamman Mohammed, Director-General of Press and Media Affairs to Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, the APC chairman said his words had been misconstrued and described the statement as a form of joking banter.
He explained that the remark was connected to what he described as an age-old tradition of teasing between his Ngamo people and the Kare-Kare-speaking community. Gadaka stressed that he did not intend to encourage married people to divorce over political differences.
“My statement was just a usual joking banter and does not in any way represent the ideals I stand for or intended to encourage divorce among married people,” he said, before apologising and formally withdrawing the comment.
The retraction is significant because Gadaka's initial statement was made in his capacity as a state chairman of the ruling APC, even though he subsequently made clear that he was not presenting a formal party position. Reports on his apology indicate that the remark was his own controversial comment and not an announced policy or directive of the APC.
The episode comes amid intensifying political activity ahead of Nigeria's 2027 elections, with parties and their candidates seeking to strengthen support at the grassroots. Political mobilisation has increasingly brought campaign messages directly into communities, where statements by party officials can quickly attract wider public attention through social media.
The controversy also highlights the sensitivity surrounding political choices within families. While political parties are entitled to persuade voters and seek support, the decision of an eligible voter remains a personal electoral choice, making statements that link voting preferences to marriage particularly contentious.
Gadaka's apology has now formally withdrawn the remark, but the incident has continued to generate debate over the language used by political leaders during election mobilisation and the responsibility of party officials to avoid statements that could inflame social or family tensions.
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