Julius Bokoru, the Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has denied accusations linking his principal to an alleged coup attempt as unfounded and politically driven.
In a statement made on Wednesday, Bokoru claimed the speculations circulating in some places were the work of desperate and self-seeking politicians looking to realize their aspirations ahead of the 2027 elections.
It was earlier reported that military investigators probing an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu were grilling the managing director of a federal government agency in the South-South region.
Two intelligence officers verified that the official had been arrested for allegedly transferring a large sum of money to Sylva, who was suspected of financing the alleged conspiracy. Investigators are claimed to believe the cash was intended to bankroll the alleged coup.
Speaking about the development, Bokoru stated that some politicians had turned to mischief because they saw the former Bayelsa State governor as a big threat and impediment to their goals.
He said such “wicked politicians” had taken their desperation to “nauseating levels,” driven by Sylva’s intimidating political presence and credibility, which continued to expose their “self-serving ambitions and evil agenda.”
Bokoru described Sylva as an “unrepentant and thoroughbred democrat,” saying the former governor has consistently supported President Bola Tinubu and believed in his administration since his election.
He recalled how Sylva recently rallied the whole structure of the All Progressives Congress in Bayelsa State to unanimously support President Tinubu at the APC Bayelsa extended stakeholders conference.
Bokoru, on the other hand, stated that Sylva’s Abuja residence was recently stormed by men suspected of being Defence Headquarters operatives, who caused major property damage.
He said the security operatives did not provide any reason for their action, adding that Sylva and his wife were both out of the country at the time of the raid.
“His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, was in the United Kingdom for routine medical checks and is scheduled to proceed to Malaysia to attend a professional conference,” Bokoru stated.
He added that he had received multiple calls from journalists and political acquaintances regarding accusations that Sylva had fled the country in connection with the claimed coup, emphasizing that such stories were inaccurate.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is true that the residence of His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, was recently subjected to a raid by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters.
“During the said operation, considerable damage was inflicted upon the property. Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorization for this raid. To the best of my knowledge, the officers involved did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently,” Bokoru said.
He went on to say that the Defense Headquarters had already denied the rumors of a coup in Nigeria and reiterated that Sylva had no role in any such conspiracy, whether in planning or logistics.
“Chief Sylva is a thoroughbred democrat whose political journey has been defined by faith in democratic processes and institutions.
“From the 1990s, when he was first elected into the old Rivers State House of Assembly, to his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State, Sylva has achieved every milestone through transparent democratic engagement and the will of the people,” Bokoru said.
Bokoru further stated that the rumors were “nothing more than the handiwork of desperate and narcissistic politicians, already consumed by ambitions for 2027, who see Sylva as their last real obstacle—a man whose political presence and credibility continue to expose their dark, self-serving ambitions.”
