Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the ruling party of abandoning its founding ideals and the Federal Government of disappointing the majority of Nigerians.
Sylva, in a strongly-worded resignation letter dated August 31, 2026, said he could no longer remain in a party, whose leaders had allegedly embraced the philosophy that “all is fair in politics.”
Sylva in the letter, which was electronically delivered and addressed to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The former governor, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, said he took the decision after wide consultations with his family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers.
“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,” Sylva said in the letter.
He recalled that as a founding member of the APC, he contributed to building the party, but said it was “deeply saddening” to witness how the ideals upon which the party was founded had been “so thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted.”
The former minister also took a swipe at the leadership of the APC, alleging that its approach to politics had eroded basic standards of decency and morality.
“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 said.
According to him, “all cannot be fair in any endeavour of life,” insisting that “the demands of basic decency and morality forbid it.”
Sylva further accused the administration formed under the APC of disappointing Nigerians, saying he could see neither “a credible attempt nor any possibility of a revamp.”
“The present Government, formed under the banner of the APC we once loved, has disappointed the vast majority of Nigerians,” he said.
The former governor said he was therefore left with no choice but to abandon what he described as a “floundering ship.”
“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,” he said.
Sylva expressed confidence that Nigerians would use the next election to change the political direction of 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,” he said.
Sylva copied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in his resignation letter, accusing the anti-graft agency of becoming increasingly partisan.
He said he deliberately copied the EFCC because “of late, it has conducted itself more as an organ of the APC than as an institution of State.”
Sylva acknowledged that his resignation could trigger further scrutiny or investigation against 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 letter was copied to the National Chairman of the APC, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC and the Bayelsa State Chairman of the APC.
Sylva, who served as governor of Bayelsa State from 2007 to 2012, remains one of the prominent political figures from the Niger Delta. His exit from the APC is expected to generate fresh political realignments in Bayelsa and the wider South-South ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Sylva’s letter said: “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.
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.
Moreover, 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. Unfortunately, this mentality appears to underpin virtually every action, and even inaction, of this 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.
“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.
“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. 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”.