Makarfi resigns as PDP BoT secretary over zoning concerns

Former governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi, has resigned as secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), citing the party’s zoning principle as the reason for his decision.

In a letter addressed to Adolphus Wabara, the BoT chairman, Makarfi said he could not continue in office following the emergence of Kabiru Turaki — who, like him, is from the north-west — as the party’s new national chairman. Turaki was elected at the PDP national convention held on Saturday.

Makarfi disclosed that he had attempted to step down two months earlier but was persuaded to remain in the role until after the convention.

“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 wrote. “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 remaining in office would create “an impression of imbalance” within the party’s leadership structure, adding that stepping aside was in the interest of fairness.

Makarfi formally resigned with effect from 17 November 2025 and thanked Wabara and BoT members for what he described as a respectful and cordial working relationship throughout his tenure.