Timipre Sylva Dumps APC, Tears Into Party Leadership

Former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that Nigerians would use the coming election to “free the country” from what he described as the “stranglehold” of the present administration.

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

He said his decision followed consultations with his family, associates, colleagues and supporters.

“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.

Explaining his decision, Sylva said he was saddened by what he described as the abandonment of the ideals upon which the APC was founded.

“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.

The former governor said he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders, according to him, appeared to operate on the belief that “all is fair in politics.”

“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,” he said.

Sylva argued that political activities must still be guided by basic standards of decency and morality.

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

The former minister further accused the present administration of disappointing a large majority of Nigerians, saying he saw neither a credible attempt nor the possibility of a reversal.

“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 asserted.

According to him, he was therefore left with no option but to leave 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,” Sylva said.

He expressed confidence that Nigerians would seek a different political direction in the forthcoming 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 stated.

Sylva also copied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the resignation letter, accusing the anti-graft agency of increasingly acting like a political instrument.

“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 alleged.

He acknowledged that his decision could expose him and his associates to further scrutiny, but said he was prepared to face the 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 claimed.

He ended the letter with: “Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”