Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-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 principles and ideals upon which it was founded.

Sylva announced his resignation in a letter dated August 31, 2026, addressed to the APC Ward 4 Chairman in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Copies of the letter were also sent to the APC National Chairman, the Bayelsa State APC Chairman and the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

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The former governor, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, said he reached the decision after consultations with his family, associates, colleagues and supporters. He expressed disappointment over what he described as the erosion of morality, decency and fairness within the party.

“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 accused the current APC leadership of abandoning the ideals that attracted him and other Nigerians to the party, arguing that the principle that “all is fair in politics” could not justify actions that violate basic standards of morality and decency.

Sylva said the APC-led Federal Government had disappointed a large section of Nigerians and claimed he could no longer see a credible pathway for the party to reform itself.

“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.

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The former Bayelsa governor subsequently urged Nigerians to vote against the APC in the 2027 general elections, saying the country must be freed from what he described as a political stranglehold.

“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 took aim at the EFCC, explaining why he deliberately copied the anti-graft agency in his resignation letter.

He alleged that the commission had recently conducted itself more like an organ of the APC than an independent institution of the Nigerian state.

“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.

The former minister acknowledged that his resignation could expose him and his associates to increased scrutiny or investigations by security and anti-corruption agencies. However, he said he was prepared to accept the consequences of his decision.

“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,” Sylva said.

Sylva’s resignation comes as political realignments and defections intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, with prominent politicians and political blocs reassessing their positions as preparations for the next general election gather momentum.