Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress, accusing the ruling party of abandoning the principles that informed its formation.
Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, announced his resignation in a letter dated August 31, 2026, and addressed to the APC chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The former minister said his decision followed consultations with his family, associates, colleagues and supporters, adding that his resignation took immediate effect.
Sylva described himself as a founding member of the APC and expressed disappointment over what he called the abandonment of the ideals that attracted him and other Nigerians to the party.
He said he could no longer remain in a political organisation whose leaders, in his view, had adopted the belief that “all is fair in politics.”
According to him, the philosophy had eroded the standards of decency and morality expected in public life.
Sylva stated, “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 further criticised the Federal Government, alleging that the APC administration had disappointed a large majority of Nigerians and failed to demonstrate a credible plan to address its shortcomings.
Sylva said his continued membership of the party had consequently become untenable.
He declared, “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.
“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.”
The former governor expressed confidence that Nigerians would use the next general election to change the political direction of the country.
He said, “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.”
In another major allegation, Sylva copied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in his resignation letter, accusing the anti-graft agency of increasingly acting in favour of the ruling APC.
He said, “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.”
Sylva acknowledged that his decision could result in increased scrutiny or investigations involving him and his associates but said he was prepared to face any consequences.
“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.
The resignation letter was also copied to the APC National Chairman and the Bayelsa State Chairman of the party.
Sylva’s departure is expected to fuel fresh political realignments in Bayelsa and the wider South-South ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He served as governor of Bayelsa State from 2007 to 2012 and remains a prominent political figure in the Niger Delta.