BREAKING: Former Petroleum Minister Timipre Sylva Resigns from APC

Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect.

Sylva’s resignation was contained in a letter dated August 31, 2026, addressed to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and electronically transmitted to the party official.

Copies of the letter were also sent to the APC National Chairman, the Bayelsa State Chairman of the party and the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Explaining his decision, Sylva said he had consulted extensively with his family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers before deciding to leave the ruling party.

“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 stated.

The former governor, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, said he was disappointed by what he described as the abandonment of the ideals upon which the party was founded.

According to him, he and other Nigerians invested their time, resources and efforts in building the party, only to see its founding principles allegedly abandoned by its current leadership.

“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 further criticised what he described as the belief among some party leaders that “all is fair in politics,” arguing that political considerations should not override basic standards of morality and decency.

“All cannot be fair in any endeavour of life. The demands of basic decency and morality forbid it,” he added.

Sylva also expressed strong criticism of the APC-led Federal Government, alleging that its performance 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 stated.

Describing the APC as a “floundering ship,” the former petroleum minister said he had therefore decided to leave the party, which he claimed was burdened by an “irredeemable load of iniquities.”

Sylva also urged Nigerians to vote against the APC in the 2027 general elections, saying the electorate would have an opportunity to free the country from what he described as a political stranglehold.

“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.

The former governor also took aim at the EFCC, accusing the anti-graft agency of allegedly acting more like an organ of the APC than an independent institution of the Nigerian state.

Explaining why he copied the EFCC in his resignation letter, Sylva said he was aware that his decision to leave the APC could result in increased scrutiny of him and his associates.

“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 stated.

Sylva said he was fully aware that his resignation could expose him and his associates to what he described as a “redoubled witch-hunt” by anti-graft agencies and other security forces.

“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 added.

The resignation marks a significant political development ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly in Bayelsa State, where Sylva remains a prominent political figure.