Former Bayelsa State Governor and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress with immediate effect.
Sylva announced his resignation in a letter dated August 31, 2026, addressed to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The letter was electronically delivered, with copies sent to the National Chairman of the APC, the Chairman of the APC in Bayelsa State and the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Sylva, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, said he made the decision after consulting 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 said.
He said he was disappointed by what he described as the abandonment of the ideals upon which the party was founded.
“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 criticised the conduct of some party leaders, saying he could no longer remain in a party where the belief that “all is fair in politics” appeared to guide political actions.
“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,” he stated.
Sylva also criticised the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, saying it had disappointed the majority of Nigerians.
“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.
He described the APC as a “floundering ship” and said he had no option but to leave 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,” he said.
Sylva also expressed confidence that Nigerians would vote for a change in the 2027 general elections.
“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 said he deliberately copied the EFCC on his resignation letter.
He said the decision was informed by what he described as the anti-graft agency’s recent conduct.
“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,” he said.
He also acknowledged that his resignation could lead to increased scrutiny of him and his associates.
“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 stated.
Sylva’s resignation comes amid allegations linking him to a purported plot to overthrow the Tinubu administration.
He has denied involvement in the alleged coup plot.
The alleged plot, which was uncovered in 2025, led to the arrest and prosecution of several military and civilian suspects.