November 18, (THEWILL) — Former Kaduna State governor, Ahmed Makarfi, has stepped down as secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), citing the need to uphold zoning principles and maintain internal balance, following the emergence of Kabiru Turaki as the party’s national chairman.
Makarfi’s resignation comes after Turaki — a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs — was elected national chairman during the party’s convention on Saturday. Both men hail from the North-West geopolitical zone.
In a letter addressed to BoT chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, on Monday, Makarfi said remaining in office after Turaki’s election would contradict the PDP’s long-standing zoning formula.
“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.
“Mr Chairman, you may recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a chairman”, Makarfi said, adding that the reasons behind his earlier decision had 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.
Makarfi said stepping aside was necessary to avoid creating “an impression of imbalance” within the PDP leadership structure.
“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 from 1999 to 2007, expressed appreciation to Wabara and other BoT members for what he described as a respectful and productive 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 the good relationship that prevailed during my period as secretary”, he concluded.
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