The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State, Muhammad Gadaka, has apologised and withdrawn his controversial statement urging women to divorce their husbands if they were prevented from supporting the party in the 2027 general elections.

Gadaka said his earlier comment, which sparked widespread criticism after a video of the political gathering circulated on social media, was merely intended as a joke and should not be taken literally.

The Yobe APC chairman had made the remark while addressing party supporters in Nangere Local Government Area of the state.

He had reportedly told women whose husbands opposed their support for the APC to seek divorce, adding that he was willing to pay their dowries and marry them.

However, in a subsequent video statement, Gadaka expressed regret over the comment and formally withdrew it.

“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,” Gadaka said.

He explained that the controversial statement was made within the context of a traditional joking relationship between communities and was never intended to encourage married women to end their relationships over political differences.

“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 original comment had generated reactions online, with critics questioning the appropriateness of linking political loyalty to marital relationships.

Gadaka said he regretted the statement and urged the public to accept his apology.

The controversy comes as political parties and their leaders intensify mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections, with politicians increasingly engaging supporters across different parts of the country.

With his latest clarification, the Yobe APC chairman has sought to put the controversy behind him, insisting that his remarks were not intended to promote divorce or interfere with marital relationships.