A former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has resigned his position as Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing zoning considerations following the emergence of a new National Chairman from his geopolitical zone.
Makarfi’s resignation, dated November 17, 2025, was addressed to the BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and delivered from his Kaduna residence. The development comes just days after former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, was elected National Chairman at the party’s national convention held over the weekend in Ibadan.
In his resignation letter, Makarfi recalled that he had attempted to step down about two months earlier via the PDP BoT WhatsApp platform, but was persuaded to stay on by the leadership pending the conclusion of the party’s national convention.
“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 may recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a chairman.”
He explained that his stance is rooted in a long-standing belief that the positions of BoT Secretary and National Chairman should not come from the same geopolitical zone. With the new chairman, Turaki, emerging from the North-West — the same zone he hails from — Makarfi said it had become 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. 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 stated.
Makarfi added that his decision was taken in the interest of fairness and to avoid any perception of imbalance within the PDP leadership structure.
He also expressed appreciation to Wabara and members of the BoT for what he described as a cordial working relationship during his tenure.
“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,” he added.
Makarfi, who governed Kaduna State between 1999 and 2007 and has held several leadership positions in the PDP, formally concluded his resignation with immediate effect.
