Timipre Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, has resigned from Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), according to reports from The Guardian Nigeria News and other outlets. The resignation was confirmed on Monday, August 31, 2026.
Sylva, who also served as Nigeria's Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, publicly criticized the party's leadership in connection with his departure. He stated that Nigerians will vote against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, as reported by Premium Times Nigeria. The former governor's exit follows his being wanted by authorities in connection with an alleged coup plot, a development that TheCable noted in its coverage of the resignation.
The Guardian Nigeria News reports that Sylva's resignation letter included sharp words for the APC's leadership, though the full text of his statement was not immediately available. Daily Post Nigeria also covered the announcement, noting that Sylva provided reasons for his decision to leave the party. The BBC's Pidgin service likewise reported on the development, confirming the former governor's departure from the APC.
Sylva previously served as governor of Bayelsa State from 2008 to 2012. His political career has included multiple roles within the APC, and his resignation marks a notable split within the party in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. The alleged coup plot, for which Sylva is reportedly wanted, adds a layer of legal uncertainty to his political future.
What to watch next: Whether Sylva will join another political party ahead of the 2027 elections, and how his resignation affects APC's standing in Bayelsa State.
