An internal combustion engine control apparatus having a secondary air supply device that includes a secondary air supply passage that is configured to supply secondary air pumped by an air pump into an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine and an opening/closing unit that is configured to open and close the secondary air supply passage, the control apparatus comprising: a controller that is configured to perform following control: and setting the opening/closing unit in an open condition for a period such that the secondary air is supplied to the secondary air supply passage; characterised by: then executing foreign matter removal control for removing foreign matter by opening and closing the opening/closing unit, before performing an abnormality diagnosis on the secondary air supply device; wherein during the foreign matter removal control, the air pump continues to be driven; and wherein a determination as to whether or not a condition for terminating the foreign matter removal control is satisfied is made in accordance with one or more of: the number of opening/closing operations performed in the opening/closing unit during the foreign matter removal control; an elapsed time following a start point of the foreign matter removal control; and a pressure condition in the secondary air supply passage accompanying the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing unit. a controller that is configured to perform following control: and setting the opening/closing unit in an open condition for a period such that the secondary air is supplied to the secondary air supply passage; characterised by: then executing foreign matter removal control for removing foreign matter by opening and closing the opening/closing unit, before performing an abnormality diagnosis on the secondary air supply device; wherein during the foreign matter removal control, the air pump continues to be driven; and wherein a determination as to whether or not a condition for terminating the foreign matter removal control is satisfied is made in accordance with one or more of: the number of opening/closing operations performed in the opening/closing unit during the foreign matter removal control; an elapsed time following a start point of the foreign matter removal control; and a pressure condition in the secondary air supply passage accompanying the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing unit. then executing foreign matter removal control for removing foreign matter by opening and closing the opening/closing unit, before performing an abnormality diagnosis on the secondary air supply device; wherein during the foreign matter removal control, the air pump continues to be driven; and wherein a determination as to whether or not a condition for terminating the foreign matter removal control is satisfied is made in accordance with one or more of: the number of opening/closing operations performed in the opening/closing unit during the foreign matter removal control; an elapsed time following a start point of the foreign matter removal control; and a pressure condition in the secondary air supply passage accompanying the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing unit.