Former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has resigned from his position as Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing zoning considerations following the emergence of a new National Chairman from his geopolitical zone.
Makarfi’s resignation, dated November 17, 2025, was conveyed to the BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and delivered from his residence in Kaduna.
His decision came shortly after the party elected former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, as National Chairman during the PDP’s 2025 national convention held over the weekend in Ibadan.
In the resignation letter obtained on Monday, Makarfi recalled that this was his second attempt to step down within two months. He said he had earlier announced his resignation via the PDP BoT WhatsApp platform but suspended it at the request of the BoT leadership.
“You may recall that about two months ago, I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform,” he wrote. “Mr. Chairman, you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a chairman.”
Makarfi explained that his long-held position has been that the BoT Secretary and the National Chairman should not come from the same geopolitical zone. With Turaki emerging from the North-West—the same zone he represents—he said it was necessary to step aside.
“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 stated. “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.”
He added that his decision was made in the interest of fairness and to prevent any perception of imbalance in the PDP’s leadership structure.
In the letter, he formally tendered his resignation with immediate effect and expressed appreciation to the BoT chairman and members for their cooperation.
“I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary. I also appreciate all Board members for their support and good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary,” Makarfi wrote.
