By Sulyman Gobir
Former Bayelsa State Governor and immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the ruling party of abandoning the ideals and principles upon which it was founded.
Sylva, a founding member of the APC, announced his resignation in a letter dated August 31, 2026, addressed to the party’s Ward 4 Chairman in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The resignation letter, which took immediate effect, was electronically transmitted to the ward chairman, with copies sent to the APC National Chairman, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Bayelsa State Chairman of the party.
The former minister said his decision followed extensive consultations with his family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers.
He expressed regret over what he described as the complete departure of the APC from the values that inspired its formation.
“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 accused the party’s leadership of embracing a political culture in which morality and decency had been discarded.
“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,” he added.
Sylva also criticised the APC-led Federal Government, saying the administration had disappointed a large majority of Nigerians.
According to him, he sees neither a credible effort nor any realistic possibility of reversing what he described as the failures of the government.
“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 stated.
The former governor said he was left with no option but to abandon what he described as a “floundering ship” burdened by what he called “irreedeemable loads of iniquities.”
He, however, expressed optimism that Nigerians would use the next general election to chart a new political course for the country.
“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,” Sylva said.
Sylva Accuses EFCC of Political Bias
In a sharp attack on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Sylva accused the anti-graft agency of increasingly acting like an arm of the ruling party rather than an independent institution of the state.
He said his decision to copy the EFCC in his resignation letter was deliberate.
“I am deliberately putting the EFCC in a 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 acknowledged that his decision to leave the APC could trigger increased scrutiny of his activities and those of 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.
Sylva served as Governor of Bayelsa State from 2007 to 2012 and later served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
His resignation comes amid growing political realignments in Bayelsa State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Several politicians loyal to Sylva have previously defected from the APC, citing alleged marginalisation within the party.
His running mate in the 2023 Bayelsa governorship election, Joshua MacIver, was also among party members who defected earlier in the year.
Sylva is currently outside Nigeria and is facing trial in absentia over allegations relating to the financing of a coup plot against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The former minister has denied the allegations and maintained his innocence.
