Ex-Minister Sylva Dumps APC

A former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has officially resigned his membership from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sylva also launched a scathing critique against the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, asserting that the government has disappointed the majority of Nigerians while expressing confidence that citizens will vote for sweeping political change in the 2027 general elections.

In an electronic resignation letter dated August 31, 2026, Sylva stated that he could no longer remain affiliated with a political party whose leadership has consistently embraced the doctrine that “all is fair in politics.”

The letter was formally addressed to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, with copies transmitted to the National Chairman of the APC, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Bayelsa State APC Chairman.

Identifying himself as a founding member of the ruling party, Sylva explained that his exit followed exhaustive consultations with his immediate family, political associates, colleagues, and supporters.

“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 maintained that the current administration has failed to meet the expectations of the electorate, adding that he foresees no genuine commitment to policy redirection or administrative recovery.

“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 emphasized that he was left with no alternative but to disembark from what he termed 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.

Addressing his decision to copy the EFCC on his official resignation, Sylva acknowledged that exiting the ruling party might trigger heightened security and anti-graft scrutiny, but maintained he was ready to face any political fallout.

“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 occurs against the backdrop of federal security investigations linking him to an alleged plot to unseat the Tinubu administration, following allegations uncovered by security agencies in late 2025. Sylva has vehemently denied all allegations, describing them as politically motivated fabrications.

The high-profile investigation previously led to the arrest of multiple civilian and military figures, culminating in the April 2026 arraignment of six defendants before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on treason, terrorism, and money laundering.

Subsequent investigative records published in August 2026 alleged that Sylva was connected to the financial backing of the suspected scheme, though the former governor—who remains outside the country—denied the claims.

The ongoing probe previously prompted a military search operation at his Abuja residence in October 2025, which Sylva condemned as an unjustified raid.