Isaac Samuel
Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the ruling party of abandoning its founding principles.
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.
He said the resignation takes immediate effect.
The former governor said he took the decision after consulting his family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers.
“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,” he said.
Sylva said he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders, according to him, operate on the principle that “all is fair in politics.”
He added that basic decency and morality should guide political conduct, alleging that the contrary approach had become a defining feature of the present 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.
Describing the APC as a “floundering ship,” Sylva said he had been left with no choice but to leave the party.
He also expressed confidence that Nigerians would seek a new political direction in the 2027 election.
“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 accuses EFCC of partisanship
Sylva also accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of increasingly acting as an organ of the ruling APC.
The former minister deliberately copied the anti-graft agency in his resignation letter, saying its recent conduct had raised concerns.
“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 alleged.
Sylva said he was aware that his decision could result in 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 said.
The resignation letter was also copied to the APC national chairman and the Bayelsa State chairman of the party.
Resignation comes amid alleged coup case
Sylva’s resignation comes amid an ongoing case in which he has been linked to an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
In April 2026, the Federal Government filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against six defendants over alleged treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
Sylva was also named in the charge but was reported to be at large.
The prosecution alleges that the defendants conspired to “levy war against the state” to overawe the President.
Sylva has been accused of involvement in the alleged conspiracy, although the allegations remain subject to judicial determination.
In July, the Department of State Services (DSS) arraigned five people accused of concealing Sylva’s whereabouts in connection with the alleged plot. The defendants pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.
Sylva served as Bayelsa State governor from 2007 to 2012 and later served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
His resignation comes ahead of the 2027 general elections and marks another high-profile departure from the APC as political activities intensify ahead of the polls.
