General News
Sylva Quits APC, EFCC Wants Him Questioned
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, to turn himself in for questioning over an alleged $14.86 million fraud investigation.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, told journalists on Monday that Sylva had been declared wanted and should make himself available to the commission.
The development came shortly after Sylva accused the anti-graft agency of operating as a political tool of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), rather than as an independent government institution.
Sylva had earlier on Monday announced his resignation from the APC.
He submitted his resignation electronically to his local ward chairman, while copying the party’s national leadership, state executives and the EFCC.
The former petroleum minister said his decision followed consultations with relatives, colleagues and supporters.
He described the APC as a compromised political platform heading towards inevitable collapse and accused the present administration of disappointing Nigerians and the party leadership of abandoning its founding principles.
In his resignation letter, Sylva stated that, as a founding member of the APC who worked with other Nigerians to build the party with “sweat and money,
” it was deeply saddening to see the ideals they promoted being thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted.
He also said he could not, in good conscience, remain in a party whose leaders believed that
“all is fair in politics” and had consistently demonstrated that position in practice”
According to Sylva, the present government formed under the APC had disappointed the vast majority of Nigerians, adding that he could see neither a credible attempt nor any possibility of revamping the party.
Explaining why he copied the EFCC in his resignation letter, Sylva said he deliberately included the commission because of what he described as its recent conduct as an organ of the APC rather than an institution of the state.
He warned that his decision could lead to increased scrutiny against him and his associates, but said he was willing to take the risk.
The former governor has faced legal troubles since late 2025, when investigators reportedly flagged him over multi-million-dollar conversion allegations. He is also facing ongoing multi-count federal charges linked to an alleged political conspiracy, allegations he has denied.