…vows ‘I’ll pay your dowries and marry you’
. Residents, Islamic scholars condemn remarks as reckless, provocative
. Party chair withdraws statement, apologises, says it’s just a joke
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Yobe State, Muhammad Gadaka, has urged married women whose husbands prevent them from voting for the party to seek divorce, offering to pay their dowries.
Gadaka made the remark while speaking at a campaign rally in Nangere, Yobe State, on Thursday, according to Arise News.
In a video shared by News Central, the APC chairman said women whose husbands would not allow them to vote for the party should stand up to them and leave their marriages.
“If your husband won’t allow you to vote for APC, stand up to him and seek a divorce. If you leave the marriage, I will pay your dowry and marry you,” he said.
The remark has sparked criticism, with residents and Islamic scholars describing it as reckless and provocative and warning that it could undermine family values.
Gadaka has since apologised and withdrawn the comment amid the backlash.
In a video shared on the Facebook page of Yobe State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Abdullahi Bego, on Friday, the APC chairman said his remark had been misconstrued.
He explained that the comment was intended as a joke.
“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.
“I offer apologies for my statement, and I hereby withdraw it,” he added.
The remark comes days after Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, sparked controversy after threatening to flog people who refused to support the APC in the 2027 election.
(Source: Punch with modified headline)
