Sylva Resigns From APC, Accuses Tinubu Government of Disappointing Nigerians

Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the ruling party of abandoning the ideals upon which it was founded and the Federal Government of disappointing the majority of Nigerians.

Sylva announced his resignation in a strongly worded letter dated August 31, 2026, addressed to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The resignation took immediate effect.

The former governor said he arrived at the decision after consulting 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 stated.

Describing himself as a founding member of the APC, Sylva said he had contributed to the formation and development of the party but expressed disappointment over what he described as the erosion of its founding principles.

“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 said.

Sylva also criticised the party’s leadership, accusing its leaders of embracing the philosophy that “all is fair in politics.”

“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.

“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 further criticised the APC-led Federal Government, alleging that its policies and actions had disappointed most Nigerians and that he could see no credible prospect of a change in direction.

“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 stated.

He described the ruling party as a “floundering ship” and said he was left with no option but to leave.

“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.

‘Nigerians Will Vote for Nigeria’

Sylva also expressed confidence that Nigerians would seek a different political direction at the next election.

“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 added.

His resignation comes amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sylva Accuses EFCC of Partisanship

The former governor also copied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the resignation letter, accusing the anti-graft agency of increasingly operating as a partisan organisation.

“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 alleged.

He acknowledged that his resignation and criticism of the EFCC could expose him and his associates to increased scrutiny.

“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 also copied to the National Chairman of the APC and the Bayelsa State Chairman of the party.

Sylva, who served as Bayelsa State governor from 2007 to 2012, remains a prominent political figure in the Niger Delta.

His exit from the APC comes at a time when political parties and prominent politicians are repositioning ahead of the 2027 elections.