SYLVA–EFCC SHOWDOWN! Ex-Bayelsa Gov Quits APC, Accuses EFCC Of Witch-Hunt As Anti-Graft Agency Demands His Appearance Over Alleged $14.86m Fraud

‘Make yourself available for questioning’ — EFCC fires back • Sylva: Commission now acts like APC organ • Ex-minister warns of ‘redoubled witch-hunt’

By Frontline Reporters

A fresh political and legal storm erupted on Monday as former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and immediately came under renewed pressure from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged $14.86 million fraud case.

The dramatic development has opened a new front in the escalating confrontation between Sylva and the anti-graft agency, with the EFCC challenging the former governor to return and answer questions while Sylva accuses the commission of turning itself into an instrument of the ruling party.

The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, on Monday delivered a blunt response to Sylva’s allegations, saying the former governor, who was declared wanted, should make himself available to the commission.

“He has been declared wanted; he should make himself available to the commission,” Oyewale said.

The statement came shortly after Sylva announced his resignation from the APC, declaring that he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders, in his view, had abandoned the principles upon which the party was founded.

SYLVA: APC HAS LOST ITS WAY

In his resignation letter dated August 31, 2026, and addressed to the APC chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Sylva launched a blistering attack on the party and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Sylva, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, said the ideals that inspired the formation of the party had been “thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted.”

He accused the party leadership of embracing the philosophy that “all is fair in politics,” arguing that such an approach was incompatible with basic decency and morality.

The former governor further declared that the APC-led Federal Government had disappointed what he described as the vast majority of Nigerians.

‘I AM LEAVING A FLOUNDERING SHIP’

In one of the strongest passages of his resignation letter, Sylva said he had been left with no option but to abandon what he described as a “floundering ship” whose fate appeared to have been sealed by its “irredeemable load of iniquities.”

He expressed confidence that Nigerians would use the next general election to alter the political direction of the country.

EFCC BECOMES POLITICAL, SYLVA ALLEGES

Sylva’s resignation took an even more explosive turn when he deliberately copied the EFCC chairman in the letter.

He accused the commission of increasingly conducting itself “more as an organ of the APC than as an institution of State.”

Sylva said he was fully aware that his decision could trigger what he called a “redoubled witch-hunt” against him and his associates, but insisted that he was prepared to accept the risk.

$14.86m CASE HANGS OVER EX-GOVERNOR

The EFCC declared Sylva wanted in November 2025 in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion involving $14,859,257.

The development has remained one of the major legal clouds hanging over the former governor, who has continued to deny wrongdoing.

His latest confrontation with the EFCC also comes amid a separate investigation and legal proceedings linked to an alleged plot against the administration of President Tinubu.

Sylva is listed as a defendant and described as “still at large” in a 13-count Federal High Court charge involving allegations including treason, terrorism-related offences, conspiracy and money laundering.

He has denied involvement in the alleged plot, and the allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings. He has not been convicted.

PROPERTIES, MONEY TRAIL DEEPEN CONTROVERSY

The EFCC also obtained an interim forfeiture order in May 2026 covering nine properties linked to Sylva.

Investigators have reportedly alleged that Sylva was a principal financier of the alleged plot and linked approximately ₦785 million to him through Purple Waves Limited, an Abuja-based company.

Reports have also alleged that more than ₦5 billion was pooled for the operation, with investigators tracing funds through Purple Waves Limited and a bureau de change operator.

The allegations have yet to be established by a final court judgment.

POLITICAL EXIT, LEGAL BATTLE

Sylva’s resignation from the APC therefore comes at a politically sensitive moment, placing his dramatic break with the ruling party alongside a renewed demand by the EFCC for him to appear before investigators.

The former governor served as Bayelsa State governor from 2007 to 2012 before later serving as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

With Sylva now outside the APC and the EFCC insisting that he make himself available, the former governor’s next move is certain to attract intense political and legal scrutiny.

The big question now is whether Sylva’s resignation marks the beginning of a wider political realignment — or whether his most difficult battle is only beginning.