Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the Bola Tinubu-led administration of disappointing the majority of Nigerians.
Sylva, in his resignation letter dated August 31, 2026, also expressed confidence that Nigerians would vote for a change in the 2027 general elections.
In the letter, obtained by our correspondent and addressed to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Sylva said he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders, he alleged, had embraced the philosophy that “all is fair in politics.”
The letter was electronically delivered, with copies sent to the APC National Chairman, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Chairman of the APC in Bayelsa State.
Sylva, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, said he reached the decision to leave the party after consultations with his family, associates, colleagues and supporters.
He said, “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 administration had disappointed the vast majority of Nigerians, adding that he could see neither a credible effort nor the possibility of turning the situation around.
“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 said he was therefore left with no choice but to leave what he described as a “floundering ship”, expressing confidence that Nigerians would vote for change in the next general election.
“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 said.
Sylva also explained why he deliberately copied the EFCC in his resignation letter, acknowledging that the move could expose him and his associates to increased scrutiny by the anti-graft agency.
“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 allegations linking him to a purported plot to overthrow the Tinubu-led administration.
The former Bayelsa governor was named by the Federal Government as a suspect in a case involving an alleged coup plot uncovered in 2025. Sylva has consistently denied any involvement, describing the allegations as false.
The alleged plot resulted in 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. Sylva was also 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. According to the reports, investigation records implicated him, while several individuals 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 prompted a military operation at Sylva’s Abuja residence in October 2025. He confirmed that soldiers from Defence Headquarters searched the property but rejected any suggestion that he was involved in a plot to overthrow the government, describing the operation as unjustified.
