The former governor of Kaduna, Ahmed Makarfi, has stepped down as secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) board of trustees (BoT), stressing that the party must strictly adhere to its zoning principle.
His resignation comes after the PDP elected Kabiru Turaki, a former minister of special duties and intergovernmental affairs, as national chairman on Saturday.
In a letter dated Monday and addressed to Adolphus Wabara, the PDP BoT chairman, Makarfi said he could not continue in the role following the emergence of Turaki, who is also from the north-west.
He explained that he had attempted to resign two months earlier but was persuaded to remain until after the convention.
“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.”
Makarfi said his position has remained consistent.
“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 stepping aside was important to prevent “an impression of imbalance” within the PDP’s leadership arrangement.
“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 wrote.
Makarfi, who governed Kaduna between 1999 and 2007, expressed gratitude to Wabara and other board members for what he described as a harmonious working relationship.
“I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as secretary,” he added.
“I also appreciate all board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as secretary.”