The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has challenged former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, to present himself for questioning after the ex-governor accused the anti-graft agency of operating as a political arm of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The EFCC’s position came shortly after Sylva announced his resignation from the APC, citing what he described as the abandonment of the party’s founding ideals and the alleged failure of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
Responding to Sylva’s criticism, EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the former governor should report to the commission, which had previously declared him wanted.
“He has been declared wanted; he should make himself available to the commission,” Oyewale said.
Sylva, in his resignation letter dated August 31, 2026, accused the EFCC of increasingly conducting itself as an organ of the APC rather than as a state institution.
He specifically copied the EFCC chairman in the letter, saying he was aware that his decision to leave the ruling party could result in what he described as a renewed “witch-hunt” against him and his associates.
The former governor said he had taken the decision to leave the APC after consultations with members of his family, associates, colleagues and supporters.
He described the party as a “floundering ship” whose fate, in his assessment, had been sealed by what he called its “irredeemable load of iniquities.”
Sylva, a founding member of the APC, said he was particularly disappointed by what he regarded as the departure of the party from the principles upon which it was established.
He argued that the party’s leaders had embraced the notion that “all is fair in politics,” insisting that political conduct should remain subject to basic standards of decency and morality.
The former governor also criticised the Federal Government, saying the administration had disappointed a large section of Nigerians and that he could not see a credible effort to reverse the situation.
He expressed confidence that Nigerians would use the next election to alter the country’s political direction.
The political development comes against the backdrop of an existing EFCC investigation involving Sylva. The commission declared him wanted in November 2025 over an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion involving $14.86 million.
Sylva has also been linked to a separate investigation into an alleged plot against the Tinubu administration. He is listed as a defendant in a 13-count federal charge involving allegations including treason, terrorism-related offences, conspiracy and money laundering. He has denied involvement in the alleged plot.
Investigators have reportedly alleged that Sylva was a principal financier of the purported operation and linked approximately N785 million to him through Purple Waves Limited, an Abuja-based company. More than N5 billion was reportedly traced as funds allegedly assembled for the operation.
The allegations have not resulted in a conviction, and the matters remain subject to judicial proceedings.
In July 2026, five associates of Sylva were arraigned by the Department of State Services over allegations that they concealed his whereabouts after he was declared wanted in connection with the investigation. They pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.
Earlier, in May 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim forfeiture order covering nine properties linked to Sylva following an application by the EFCC.
Sylva served as governor of Bayelsa State from 2007 to 2012 and later became Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
With the EFCC now publicly urging him to make himself available, attention is expected to focus on whether the former governor will return to Nigeria and submit himself for questioning.
