Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State, Mohammed Gadaka, has reportedly urged married women to divorce their husbands if they prevent them from voting for the party.

Gadaka made the remark while speaking at a campaign rally, where he reportedly told women to stand up to husbands who attempt to influence their voting decisions.

He further promised to pay the dowry of any married woman who chooses to leave her marriage over the issue and said he would marry her.

In his words:

“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.”

The statement has generated reactions, with the comments likely to fuel further debate about political influence within families, voting rights and the role of political leaders in encouraging citizens to exercise their franchise.

Gadaka’s remarks come as political parties begin preparations and mobilisation activities ahead of the 2027 elections.