Chief Timipre Sylva, former minister of state for petroleum resources and governor of Bayelsa, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress.
Sylva also criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming it had failed the majority of Nigerians and expressed confidence that the voters will vote for change in the 2027 general elections.
In a resignation letter dated August 31, 2026, acquired by our correspondent, Sylva stated that he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders supposedly believed that “all is fair in politics.”
The letter, addressed to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, was delivered electronically.
Copies were given to the APC’s National Chairman, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the APC Chairman in Bayelsa State.
Sylva, who characterized himself as an APC founding member, stated that he decided to leave the party after talking with his family, associates, coworkers, and supporters.
The letter partly read, “Having consulted widely with my family, associates, colleagues, and sympathizers, I wish to formally tender my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect.
“As a founding member of the APC and one who joined other well-meaning Nigerians in building the party with sweat and money, it is deeply saddening to witness how the ideals we espoused have been so thoroughly and unrecognizably thwarted.
“Moreover, I cannot, in all good conscience, continue to belong to a party whose leaders believe that ‘all is fair in politics’ and have consistently demonstrated that belief in practice.
“All cannot be fair in any endeavor of life. The demands of basic decency and morality forbid it. Unfortunately, this mentality appears to underpin virtually every action, and even inaction, of this administration.”
The former minister stated that the APC-led government had disappointed Nigerians, and he saw no real attempt or possibility of reforming the administration.
“The present government, formed under the banner of the APC we once loved, has disappointed the vast majority of Nigerians. And I can see neither a credible attempt nor any possibility of a revamp,” he said.
Sylva also stated that he was left with no choice but to abandon what he described as a “floundering ship.”
“I am therefore left with no other choice than to jettison a floundering ship whose fate appears to have been sealed by its irredeemable load of iniquities. I have no doubt that, in the coming election, Nigerians will vote for Nigeria and free the country from this stranglehold on our beautiful country,” he stated.
Sylva went on to say that he purposely copied the EFCC in his resignation letter.
He understood that his resignation could result in additional scrutiny by the anti-graft agency, but he was willing to face the consequences.
“I am fully aware that this action of mine may invite a redoubled witch-hunt against me and my associates, but that is a risk I am willing to take,” he said.
Sylva’s resignation comes after he was linked to an alleged plot to overthrow Tinubu’s administration. The former Bayelsa governor was identified by the federal government as a suspect in the investigation regarding an alleged coup plot unearthed in 2025. Sylva has always denied involvement in the conspiracy and branded claims against him as baseless.
The purported plot led to the arrest and trial of several military and civilian suspects. In April 2026, six suspects were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on counts including treason, terrorism, and money laundering, while Sylva was among those accused in connection with the wider investigation.
Reports published in August 2026 subsequently alleged that Sylva was linked to the financing of the purported coup plot.
According to reports, investigation data linked him, and numerous people associated with him were charged in connection with the suspected plot. Sylva, on the other hand, has disputed the charges and is believed to be outside of Nigeria.
The charges had previously prompted a military incursion at Sylva’s Abuja home in October 2025.
He admitted that soldiers from defense headquarters stormed the property but refuted any suggestion that he was involved in a plot to overthrow the government, describing the action as unjustifiable.
