Former Kaduna State governor Ahmed Makarfi has resigned from his position as secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), insisting that the party must uphold its zoning arrangement to preserve fairness and balance within its leadership.
Makarfi’s resignation comes in the wake of the emergence of former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, as the PDP’s new national chairman at the party’s convention on Saturday. With both men hailing from the North-West, Makarfi said remaining in office would violate the party’s zoning tradition.
In a letter addressed to BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara on Monday, the former governor recalled that he had attempted to resign earlier.
“You may recall that about two months ago, I had resigned as secretary of the board and posted the same on the board’s WhatsApp platform,” the letter reads.
“Mr Chairman, you may recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a chairman.”
According to him, the reason he wanted to step aside then is the same reason he is leaving now.
“The principal reason for my resignation then and now was, and is still, my belief that the national chairman of the party and the secretary should not come from the same geopolitical zone,” he said.
“Now that a chairman has emerged from the north-west, where I come from, it is necessary to give him full space to do the needful.”
Makarfi added that remaining in the position would create “an impression of imbalance” in the party’s leadership configuration.
“Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as secretary of the board of trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17, 2025,” he stated.
The former governor, who led Kaduna State between 1999 and 2007, thanked Wabara and other members of the BoT for the cordial working relationship he enjoyed.
“I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as secretary,” he said.
“I also appreciate all board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as secretary.”
