Former Governor of Kaduna State and Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has formally resigned from his position, citing zoning considerations and the emergence of a new National Chairman from his geopolitical zone as the reason for his exit.
In a resignation letter dated November 17, 2025, and addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Makarfi noted that this development came nearly two months after he first attempted to step down via the PDP BoT WhatsApp platform—an action temporarily halted at the request of the leadership.
“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,” Makarfi wrote, referring to his earlier attempt to quit the role.
He explained that Wabara had personally appealed to him at the time, urging him to remain in office until the party successfully concluded its national convention and produced a substantive National Chairman. “Mr. Chairman, you may recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman,” he stated.
Makarfi said his resignation was driven by a firm belief that both the BoT Secretary and the National Chairman should not come from the same geopolitical zone. With the newly elected Chairman emerging from the Northwest—his own zone—he said it had become important to step aside to ensure balance in the party’s leadership.
“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 added that the decision was made in the interest of fairness and to prevent any impression of imbalance within the PDP’s leadership architecture.
“Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025,” the letter read.
The two-term former governor expressed appreciation to Wabara and other BoT members, acknowledging what he described as a cordial and productive relationship during his tenure.
“I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” he wrote, extending his gratitude to all BoT members “for their support and good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”
What you should know
Senator Ahmed Makarfi, a former Kaduna State governor and influential PDP figure, has played significant roles in party leadership over the years.
His resignation highlights ongoing sensitivity toward zoning and regional balance within the PDP—a long-standing principle that guides leadership distribution across Nigeria’s diverse geopolitical zones.
