Former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has resigned his position as Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), insisting that the party must adhere strictly to its zoning arrangement.

Makarfi tendered his resignation in a letter dated Monday and addressed to the BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara. His exit comes barely two days after the emergence of Kabiru Turaki, also from the North-West, as the party’s national chairman at Saturday’s convention.

He explained that remaining in office would violate the party’s long-standing principle that the BoT secretary and the national chairman must not hail from the same geopolitical zone.

The former governor recalled that he had attempted to vacate the position two months earlier but was urged by Wabara to stay on until the conclusion of the national convention.

“The principal reason for my resignation then and now remains my belief that the national chairman of the party and the secretary should not come from the same geopolitical zone,” he said.

“With the emergence of a chairman from the North-West, where I also come from, it is only proper to give him full space to operate and avoid any impression of imbalance.”

Makarfi said his resignation takes immediate effect, adding that it was in the best interest of the party’s internal cohesion.

He expressed appreciation to Wabara and the entire BoT for what he described as a cordial working relationship throughout his tenure.

“I truly appreciate the respectful relationship between us and the support of all board members during my period as secretary,” he added.

Makarfi governed Kaduna State between 1999 and 2007.