“If Your Husband Won’t Let You Vote APC, Leave Him; I’ll Pay Your Bride Price and Marry You” – Yobe APC Chairman, Muhammad Gadaka tells Women

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State, Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka, has come under widespread criticism following remarks in which he urged married women to divorce their husbands if they were prevented from voting for the ruling party in the forthcoming general elections.

Gadaka made the controversial statement on Thursday in Nangere town while receiving hundreds of new members who defected to the APC.

During the gathering, the state party chairman reportedly told married women that they should consider leaving their husbands if their spouses attempted to stop them from voting for the APC.

He reportedly went further by promising to pay the “new bride price” for any woman who chose to end her marriage because of her loyalty to the party.

The comment quickly generated controversy across Yobe, with residents, community members and Islamic scholars condemning the statement and describing it as irresponsible and capable of creating unnecessary tension within families.

Critics argued that political leaders, particularly those occupying prominent positions within political parties, should exercise caution when addressing sensitive issues involving marriage, religion, family relationships and community values.

The controversy also raised questions about the extent to which political mobilisation should be allowed to influence private family relationships, especially in the run-up to an election season expected to generate intense political competition.

Following the backlash, Gadaka later withdrew the statement and apologised in a 42-second video shared on the Facebook page of Mamma Mohammed, the Director-General, Press and Media Affairs to Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni.

In the video, the APC chairman sought to explain the circumstances surrounding the controversial remark, insisting that his comments had been misunderstood and were not intended to encourage married women to leave their husbands.

According to Gadaka, the statement was made as part of a traditional form of joking and banter associated with the relationship between his Ngamo people and members of the Kare-Kare-speaking community.

“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.

He subsequently apologised for the comment and formally withdrew the statement.

The clarification came amid growing public criticism, with commentators maintaining that remarks of such nature could have consequences beyond the immediate political gathering where they were made.

The controversy has also brought renewed attention to the question of political influence within families, particularly where spouses hold different political preferences.

It remains unclear whether Gadaka’s initial comment was prompted by reports of husbands attempting to dictate how their wives should vote or whether it was solely intended as a rhetorical appeal to supporters at the defection ceremony.

Nevertheless, political observers in Yobe said the statement was ill-advised, regardless of the intention behind it.

They argued that political leaders have a responsibility to promote peaceful participation in the democratic process rather than make comments that could potentially deepen disagreements within households or communities.

The incident comes at a time when political parties across Nigeria are intensifying their grassroots mobilisation and membership drives ahead of the forthcoming elections.

In such an environment, party leaders are increasingly engaging traditional institutions, community leaders, religious figures, youth groups and other grassroots constituencies in an effort to consolidate support.

However, observers have warned that political mobilisation must be conducted within the boundaries of responsible public communication, particularly in communities where marriage and family relationships are deeply influenced by religious and cultural values.

For many Nigerians, voting is a constitutional and individual civic responsibility, and political allegiance can differ even among members of the same household.

The controversy surrounding Gadaka’s remarks therefore underscores the importance of allowing citizens to exercise their political rights without intimidation, coercion or undue pressure.

Political analysts also noted that inflammatory comments by senior party officials can potentially distract from substantive campaign issues and undermine efforts to promote peaceful elections.

Rather than encouraging political supporters to engage in confrontational behaviour, they said party leaders should focus on presenting policies and programmes capable of addressing the challenges confronting their constituents.

Gadaka’s decision to withdraw the statement and apologise may help to contain the controversy, but the incident is likely to remain a subject of discussion in Yobe’s political circles as preparations for the elections intensify.

The episode also serves as a reminder to political actors that statements made at public gatherings can quickly spread through social media and generate consequences far beyond the original audience.

As the political season gathers momentum, stakeholders are expected to encourage issue-based campaigns, respect for individual voting rights and peaceful political participation.

For a state like Yobe, where religious, cultural and communal sensitivities remain important components of public life, political leaders face an added responsibility to ensure that their messages promote unity and democratic participation rather than create avoidable divisions.

While Gadaka has insisted that his original statement was intended as a joke, the backlash demonstrates the sensitivity of political rhetoric involving marriage and family.

His subsequent apology and withdrawal have provided a clarification of his position, but the controversy highlights the need for political leaders to carefully consider the potential impact of their words, particularly as the country moves closer to another highly contested election.