Former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has formally resigned as Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing zoning considerations following the emergence of a new National Chairman from his geopolitical zone.

Makarfi’s resignation, dated November 17, 2025, was addressed to BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara and delivered from his Kaduna residence. His exit follows the election of former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, as the new PDP National Chairman at the party’s 2025 national convention in Ibadan.

In the resignation letter, made public on Monday, Makarfi explained that his decision was rooted in a long-standing belief that the BoT Secretary and the National Chairman should not hail from the same geopolitical zone. Both he and the newly elected chairman are from the North-West.

“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,” he wrote. “At the time, you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a chairman.”

Makarfi noted that with a new chairman now in place, it had become necessary to step aside to avoid any perception of imbalance in the party’s leadership structure and to allow the new chairman “full space to do the needful.”

“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 and has held key roles within the PDP over the years, expressed gratitude to Wabara and other BoT members for their support and cordial working relationship during his tenure.

“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 throughout my service,” Makarfi added.

His resignation adds a new layer to ongoing debates within the PDP about zoning, internal balance, and equitable power distribution as the party prepares for future political contests.