APC Still Intact in Bayelsa Despite Sylva’s Resignation — Nabena

By Jude Opara

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Yekini Nabena, has declared that the exit of former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva from the ruling party has not affected its operations in the state.

It would be recalled that Sylva, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, announced his resignation from the ruling party on Monday, claiming that the APC had deviated from the ideals upon which it was founded.

Nabena, in a statement issued on Wednesday and made available to journalists, said he was speaking on behalf of about 90 per cent of the party’s members and stakeholders in Bayelsa State.

He declared that the APC remained strong, united and a force to reckon with in future elections in the oil-rich state.

According to him, the party structure and other key stakeholders have decided to remain in the APC and work for its success, including the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the victory of all the party’s candidates in the 2027 general elections.

The APC chieftain wished Sylva well in his future political endeavours but added that the APC in Bayelsa had become a formidable institution bigger than any individual.

Nabena wrote: “My dear leader, His Excellency Chief Timipre Sylva, we received with deep reflection the news of your resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) via your letter dated August 31, 2026.

“As one who joined others to build the APC with sweat and resources, your decision, after wide consultation with family, associates and supporters, is a painful but principled one.

“You have stated clearly that you could no longer remain in a party whose leaders believe that ‘all is fair in politics’ and that the ideals upon which the APC was founded have been ‘thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted’.

“I respect your courage to take this risk, and history will vindicate men of conviction.

“While we wish you well in your political journey outside the APC, the majority of us in the Bayelsa APC family, about 90 per cent, feel differently about your decision.

“We make bold to say that we will remain in the APC, where we have invested, sacrificed and built a solid political structure. We will work hard to deliver all our candidates, from Mr President’s re-election bid in 2027 to all other candidates.”

The former APC spokesman added: “We cannot abandon our people in the APC and jump ship. We will not abandon the ship for nowhere because the problem facing the country is not about political parties but leadership.

“We believe that politicians are not manufactured anywhere but recycled. Hence, we will make sure that we stay back and deliver all our candidates in Bayelsa State.”

Nabena thanked the former governor for his leadership over the years and his contributions to the growth of the APC in Bayelsa State, adding that, beyond politics, Sylva remained an undeniable leader in the state.