The Yobe State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka, has withdrawn a controversial statement urging married women to divorce their husbands if barred from voting for the ruling party.

The initial comment, made on Thursday during a defection rally in Nangere town, sparked massive backlash across the state. Islamic scholars and residents swiftly condemned the remarks as "reckless" and a threat to family values. In his speech, Gadaka had gone as far as pledging to pay the "new bride price" for any woman who dissolved her marriage over party allegiance.

Following the widespread outrage, Gadaka issued a 42-second video apology via the Facebook page of Mamman Mohammed, the Director-General of Press and Media Affairs to Governor Mai Mala Buni.

In his retraction, the APC chairman claimed his statement was misconstrued, framing it as cultural teasing rather than political directive.

Gadaka explained the comment was "joking banter" rooted in traditional teasing between his ethnic group, the Ngamo, and the Kare-Kare people.

"My statement... does not in any way represent the ideals I stand for or intended to encourage divorce among married people," Gadaka stated. "I offer apologies for my statement, and I hereby withdraw it."

While political observers note the retraction was forced by mounting criticism ahead of the general elections, it remains unclear if the initial comment was triggered by actual reports of husbands restricting their wives` voting choices.