Timipre Sylva Resigns from APC, Accuses Party of Abandoning Ideals, EFCC of Partisanship

ValidViewNetwork gathered that former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the ruling party of abandoning the ideals upon which it was founded.

Sylva, in a strongly worded resignation letter dated August 31, 2026, and electronically delivered to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, said he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders had embraced the philosophy that “all is fair in politics”.”

I Cannot Continue in Good Conscience”

The former governor, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, said the decision followed extensive consultations with his family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers, stressing that the APC-led Federal Government had failed and disappointed the majority of Nigerians.

“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.

He recalled his contribution to the formation and growth of the APC, expressing disappointment over the abandonment of the principles that attracted him and other Nigerians to the party.

“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 leadership of the party over what he described as a political culture that had eroded basic standards of decency and morality.

“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 stated.”

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”.

“A Floundering Ship”

The former minister further accused the APC-led Federal Government of failing Nigerians, saying he could not see any credible effort to reverse what he described as the administration’s shortcomings.”

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 said.

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He likened his former party to a sinking vessel whose fate had already been determined.

“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.

He expressed optimism that Nigerians would use the next election to alter 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.

EFCC Accused of Partisanship

In a further criticism of the APC-led government, Sylva copied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the resignation letter, accusing the anti-graft agency of increasingly acting in the interest of the ruling party.

“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 said.

Sylva also acknowledged that his decision to leave the APC could expose him and his associates to further investigations, but said he was prepared to face the consequences.

ValidViewNetwork understands that copies of the resignation letter were also sent to the National Chairman of the APC, the EFCC Chairman and the Bayelsa State Chairman of the party.