“Irredeemable Load Of Iniquities!” — Timipre Sylva Dumps Tinubu’s APC, Declares Party A “Floundering Ship” And Warns Nigerians Ahead Of 2027
By Passman Akpos
Former Bayelsa State Governor and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect, accusing the ruling party of abandoning the ideals upon which it was founded.
Sylva announced his resignation in a strongly worded letter dated August 31, 2026, addressed to the APC Chairman of Ward 4, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The letter was also copied to the APC National Chairman, Bayelsa State APC Chairman and the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The former governor said his decision followed 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.”
‘APC Has Lost Its Ideals’
Sylva, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, said he was deeply saddened by what he described as the abandonment of the principles that motivated him and other Nigerians to build the party.
He alleged that the ideals of the party had been “thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted,” adding that he could no longer remain in an organisation whose leaders, in his assessment, operated on the principle that “all is fair in politics.”
According to him, politics should not override basic standards of morality and decency.“All cannot be fair in any endeavour of life. The demands of basic decency and morality forbid it.”
Sylva Blasts Tinubu Government
The former governor also delivered a scathing assessment of the APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Sylva said the government had disappointed what he described as the vast majority of Nigerians, arguing that he could see neither a credible attempt nor any realistic possibility of reversing its perceived failures.
“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 further predicted that Nigerians would use the next election to change the country’s political direction.
“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.”
‘EFCC Has Become An APC Organ’
In one of the most explosive portions of the resignation letter, Sylva deliberately copied the EFCC, accusing the anti-graft agency of increasingly behaving like an instrument 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.”
Sylva also said he was conscious that his decision could expose him and his associates to increased investigations, but declared that he was prepared to accept 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.”
Resignation Comes Amid Coup-Plot Controversy
Sylva’s dramatic exit from the APC comes at a particularly sensitive time for the former governor.
He has been named by the Federal Government among defendants in a 13-count charge relating to an alleged plot against President Tinubu’s administration. The charges reportedly include allegations bordering on treason, money laundering and terrorism, although the allegations remain matters before the court and should not be treated as established facts.
Investigative reports have also alleged that Sylva played a significant financial role in the purported plot. Premium Times reported in July that investigators had identified him as an alleged major sponsor of the failed plot. These are allegations contained in investigative and prosecutorial accounts, not a judicial finding of guilt.
The former governor was also previously declared wanted by the EFCC in connection with a separate investigation involving an alleged $14.86 million financial offence. Sylva has denied wrongdoing in relation to the allegations.
Notably, however, Sylva’s resignation letter did not cite the alleged coup investigation as the reason for leaving the APC. Instead, he focused his criticism on the party’s leadership, the Tinubu administration and the EFCC.
Major Political Fallout Expected In Bayelsa
Sylva’s resignation is likely to trigger fresh political calculations in Bayelsa State and across the Niger Delta, where he remains a major political figure.
His decision to leave the ruling party while simultaneously accusing the APC government of abandoning its founding ideals could deepen existing political divisions and fuel speculation about his next political move ahead of the 2027 elections.
For now, Sylva has not announced the political platform, if any, that he intends to join.
His final message was brief:
“Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The resignation takes immediate effect.
