APC Mum As Sylva Dumps Party, NDC Optimistic

Former Bayelsa State governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, may have opened a new chapter in his political career following his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) emerging as one of the parties being linked with his next move.

However, the NDC has said Sylva has not contacted the party over plans to join, even though it would welcome him if he decides to seek membership.

The APC, meanwhile, declined to comment on his resignation from the party in the state. Several phone calls to the Bayelsa State Chairman of the APC, Hon. Warman Ogoriba, were not answered, and he did not return the calls as of press time.

The Bayelsa State Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Prince Mac-Akeh, said the party was aware of speculation that Sylva could make the NDC his next political platform but confirmed that no formal approach had been made.

“Well, he has not contacted, that one of the facts, he has not contacted the NDC for any possible joining our party. However, if that would be his own thoughts, like we always say, the NDC is an ARC, we are to welcome anybody who wishes to come and join the NDC,” Mac-Akeh said.

Mac-Akeh described Sylva’s resignation from the APC as a welcome development, saying the former governor should now consider his political options carefully.

“We are getting the breaking news that he has left the APC, so I think that’s a welcome idea to the NDC, because NDC stands for Nigerians, and we want to give the desire and the exchange to Nigerians,” he said.

He urged Sylva to consider the NDC if he decides to join another political party, saying the platform could provide him with what he described as peace and political assurance.

“We want to pray that he takes the right decision to choose the NDC vehicle as a vehicle that can give him the needed peace, that can give him the needed assurance that all that has been happening around him is well thoughtful,” Mac-Akeh said.

Despite the NDC’s openness, the party spokesman stressed that Sylva had not made any commitment to join the party.

The development has also generated wider speculation over whether Sylva could support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or remain outside any political party ahead of the 2027 elections.

A political analyst, who spoke anonymously, said it was too early to assume that Sylva would immediately join another party.

He said the NDC remained a possibility but expressed doubts about Sylva working with former Bayelsa governor Henry Seriake Dickson, despite their previous relationship.

“Do you think he wants to join any party? Let us watch and see if he will even join any party. He might decide to support Atiku. Sylva supporting Dickson? I don’t think so. He knows Peter Obi will not win, but he has not made his intentions known to join any other party,” he said.

According to him, Sylva’s political position has become difficult to predict, particularly because some of his former supporters are now aligned with different political camps in Bayelsa.

“He does not have any political structure again in Bayelsa and may not even come to Nigeria until Tinubu finishes his administration. I think Timipre Sylva is on sabbatical for now,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NDC spokesman said the party was aware of what he described as possible political undertones surrounding the circumstances of Sylva’s resignation but said the situation should be allowed to unfold.

“Of course, we know that some of us on the political wing are smelling some political undertone. Well, however, until the court gives its judgment, we’ll know what is what and what is there,” he said.

Sylva resigned from the APC on Monday, accusing the ruling party of abandoning its founding ideals and the Federal Government of disappointing Nigerians.

In his resignation letter, he said he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders, according to him, had embraced the belief that “all is fair in politics,” and expressed confidence that Nigerians would change the country’s political direction at the next election.

The former governor, who served from 2007 to 2012, remains one of the prominent political figures from the Niger Delta. His exit from the APC is therefore expected to fuel further political realignment in Bayelsa and the wider South-South ahead of 2027.