A former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Bayelsa State governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress.
Sylva also criticised the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, saying it had disappointed the majority of Nigerians and expressing confidence that the electorate would vote for a change in the 2027 general elections.
In a resignation letter dated August 31, 2026, obtained by our correspondent, Sylva said he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders had allegedly embraced the philosophy that “all is fair in politics.”
The letter, addressed to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was electronically delivered.
Copies were sent to the National Chairman of the APC, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Chairman of the APC in Bayelsa State.
Sylva, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, said he decided to quit the party after consulting widely with his family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers.
The letter partly read, “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.
“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.
“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 endeavour 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 said the APC-led government had disappointed Nigerians, adding that he could see neither a credible attempt nor any possibility of revamping 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 added 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.
Speaking further, Sylva said he deliberately copied the EFCC in the resignation letter.
He acknowledged that his resignation could trigger further scrutiny by the anti-graft agency but said he was prepared 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 amid his reported links to an alleged plot to overthrow the Tinubu-ledadministration. The former Bayelsa governor was named by the Federal Government as a suspect in the case involving an alleged coup plot uncovered in 2025. Sylva has consistently denied involvement in the plot and described allegations against him as false.
The alleged plot led to the arrest and prosecution of several military and civilian suspects. In April 2026, six defendants were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges including treason, terrorism and money laundering, while Sylva was among those named 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. It was reported that investigation records implicated him and that several people associated with him were facing charges over the alleged scheme. Sylva, however, has denied the allegations and was reported to be outside Nigeria.
The allegations had earlier triggered a military operation at Sylva’s Abuja residence in October 2025. He confirmed that soldiers from Defence Headquarters raided the property but rejected any suggestion that he was involved in a plot to overthrow the government, describing the operation as unjustified.
(Punch)
