Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, former governor of Kaduna, has resigned as secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), insisting the party must respect its zoning formula.
In a letter dated November 17 and addressed to Adolphus Wabara, BoT chairman, Makarfi said he could not remain in office after the emergence of Kabiru Turaki, the new national chairman of the party hails from the same north-west with him.
He recalled that he had attempted to quit two months earlier but was persuaded to wait until after the 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.
“Mr. Chairman, you may recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman,” the letter stated.
Makarfi said the principle guiding his decision has not changed.
“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 said.
He said stepping down was necessary to avoid creating “an impression of imbalance” in the party’s leadership structure.
“Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025,” he stated.
Makarfi, who governed Kaduna from 1999 to 2007, thanked Wabara and other BoT members for what he described as a cordial working relationship.
“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 said.
