I Apologise, It Was A Joke” — APC Chairman Clarifies Divorce Remark

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State, Muhammad Gadaka, has apologised and withdrawn his controversial remark urging women to divorce husbands who prevent them from voting for the party in the 2027 elections.

According to Ireporter Online, Gadaka made the statement while addressing APC supporters at a political gathering in Nangere Local Government Area of Yobe State.

During the event, the party chairman reportedly told women that they should consider leaving their husbands if they were prevented from supporting the APC at the polls. He also offered to pay the dowry and marry women who acted on the advice.

The comments generated widespread reactions after a video of the event circulated on social media, with critics condemning the remarks and accusing the politician of promoting the breakdown of marriages over political differences.

Responding to the backlash, Gadaka released a video in which he apologised to members of the public and formally withdrew the statement.

“I withdraw my earlier statement that any woman whose husband prevents her from voting for the APC should end her marriage, and that I would marry her. I apologise to the public; I only said it as a joke,” he said.

Gadaka explained that his comments were made in the context of traditional banter and were not intended as serious advice to married women.

He stressed that the remark should not be interpreted as a reflection of his personal values, insisting that he does not support the dissolution of marriages because of political disagreements.

“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,” he added.

The clarification came amid growing public attention surrounding political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Gadaka seeking to distance himself and the Yobe APC from the controversial statement.