Just In: Sylva Wanted Over Coup Plot, Dumps APC From Hiding

Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the ruling party of abandoning the principles that informed its formation.

Sylva announced his resignation in a strongly worded letter dated August 31, 2026, in which he declared that he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders, according to him, had embraced the belief that “all is fair in politics.”

The former governor’s resignation comes amid the political controversy surrounding him, with the headline of his exit linked to reports that he is wanted over an alleged coup plot.

His letter, however, focused primarily on his dissatisfaction with the APC and the conduct of its leadership.

Since being declared wanted over an alleged coup plot, he has not been seen and his camp said he has been abroad without stating which country.

Sylva electronically transmitted the resignation letter to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Copies of the letter were also sent to the APC National Chairman, the Bayelsa State Chairman of the party and the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Sylva said he arrived at the decision to quit the APC after consultations with his family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers.

“Having consulted widely with my family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers, I wish to formally tender my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), with immediate effect,” he stated.

The former governor described himself as a founding member of the APC and recalled his role, alongside other Nigerians, in establishing and building the party.

He said it was therefore particularly painful for him to witness what he described as the abandonment of the ideals that initially attracted him to the APC.

“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 unrecognisably thwarted,” Sylva said.

He also took aim at the political philosophy and conduct of the party’s leadership, arguing that political calculations should not be allowed to override morality, decency and basic standards of conduct.

“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,” he stated.

“All cannot be fair in any endeavour of life. The demands of basic decency and morality forbid it.”

Sylva further criticised the APC-led Federal Government, saying it had failed to meet the expectations of the majority of Nigerians.

According to him, he could neither see a credible effort by the administration to reverse its alleged failures nor any realistic possibility of a meaningful turnaround.

“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.

The former minister said he was therefore left with no option but to abandon the party.

“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,” Sylva stated.

He also expressed confidence that Nigerians would use the next general election to change the political direction of the country.

“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 said.

Sylva’s resignation letter also contained a pointed criticism of the EFCC, which he deliberately copied in the correspondence.

He accused the anti-graft agency of increasingly acting as though it were an arm of the ruling party rather than an independent institution of the Nigerian state.

“I am deliberately putting the EFCC in copy of this letter because, of late, it has conducted itself more as an organ of the APC than as an institution of State,” Sylva alleged.

The former governor also acknowledged that his decision to leave the APC could expose him and his associates to increased scrutiny or investigation.

He said he was prepared to face the consequences of his decision despite the possibility of what he described as a renewed “witch-hunt.”

“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,” Sylva stated.