Timipre Sylva Leaves APC, Calls Party Hopeless

Former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, has left the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sylva also slammed President Bola Tinubu's government, saying it has let down many Nigerians. He believes that voters will demand change in the 2027 elections.

In a resignation letter dated August 31, 2026, which our correspondent got a hold of, Sylva said he could not stay in a party whose leaders think that "all is fair in politics."

The letter was sent to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. It was delivered electronically.

Copies were also sent to the National Chairman of the APC, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Chairman of the APC in Bayelsa State.

Sylva, who considers himself a founding member of the APC, said he made the decision to leave after talking with his family, friends, and supporters.

The letter stated, "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 added, "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, "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."

He emphasized, "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 expressed that the APC-led government has disappointed Nigerians. He said he sees no real attempt or chance to make things better in the current administration.

He said, "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."

Sylva mentioned that he felt forced to leave what he called a "floundering ship."

He said, "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."

Sylva noted that he copied the EFCC in his resignation letter.

He recognized that his resignation might lead to more scrutiny from the anti-graft agency, but he is ready to face the results.

He said, "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."

Sylva's resignation comes amid claims connecting him to an alleged plan to overthrow the Tinubu-led government. The Federal Government named him as a suspect in a coup plot uncovered in 2025. Sylva has always denied involvement and called the allegations false.

The alleged plot led to the arrest of several military and civilian suspects. In April 2026, six people were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges like treason and money laundering, and Sylva was named in connection with the investigation.

Reports from August 2026 suggested Sylva was linked to financing the supposed coup plot. Investigation records reportedly implicated him, and many people around him are facing charges regarding the plot. Sylva, however, has denied these claims and was said to be outside Nigeria.

These allegations had earlier led to a military operation at Sylva’s Abuja home in October 2025. He confirmed that soldiers raided the property but rejected any claims he was involved in a plot to overthrow the government, calling the operation unjustified.