The Yobe State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka, has come under criticism following remarks in which he reportedly urged married women to leave their husbands if they prevented them from voting for the party.
Gadaka made the comments on Thursday in Nangere town while addressing hundreds of defectors who joined the APC.
During the gathering, the APC chairman was quoted as saying, “If your husband won’t allow you to vote APC, leave the marriage. I will pay your bride price and marry you.”
He also reportedly offered to pay the bride price of any woman who left her marriage because of her political allegiance to the APC.
The comments sparked reactions from residents and Islamic scholars, who described the remarks as inappropriate and provocative. Critics warned that statements of such nature could create tension within families and communities.
Following the backlash, Gadaka withdrew the statement in a 42-second video shared on the Facebook page of Mamma Mohammed, the Director-General of Press and Media Affairs to Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni.
The APC chairman explained that his comment was made in the spirit of what he described as a long-standing tradition of friendly banter between the Ngamo people and the Kare Kare-speaking people.
“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,” Gadaka said.
He apologised for the remarks and formally withdrew them.
“I offer apologies for my statement, and I hereby withdraw it,” he added.
The incident has continued to attract public attention, with renewed calls for political leaders to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public statements, particularly on issues involving marriage, religion and family relationships.
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