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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Former All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson, Yekini Nabena, has declared that the exit of former governor of Bayelsa State, and former Minister of Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, from the APC will not affect the fortune of the ruling party in the state.
Sylva, had recently announced his resignation from the ruling party, alleging that APC had derailed from the ideals it was founded.
But, responding to the development in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, Nabena, party’s former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, declared that APC still remains very strong, united and a force to reckon with in future elections in the State.
He further disclosed that the structure and other stakeholders have resolved to remain in APC to work for the success of the party, ensure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in the state, and work hard to deliver all the candidates of the party in the coming elections.
While wishing the former governor well in his political endeavours, the APC chieftain noted that APC in Bayelsa state has obviously become a formidable institution bigger than just one individual.
Claiming to be speaking on behalf of 90 per cent of Bayelsa state party members and stakeholders, Nabena, in response to him, noted: “My Dear Leader, His Excellency Chief Timipre Sylva, we received with deep reflection the news of your resignation from the 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 welll in your political journey outside the APC, majority of us in Bayelsa APC family (90 per cent) feel contrary to your decision, we make bold to say we will remain in APC where we have invested, sacrificed and built 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,” he noted.
The former APC spokesman added: “We can not abandon our people in the APC and jump the ship. We will not abandon the ship for nowhere because the problem facing the country is not about the political parties but leadership problems.”
“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,” he emphasised.
The APC chieftain thanked the former governor for providing leadership over the years and contributing to where APC is presently, adding that outside politics Timipre Sylva remain an undeniable leader to many of in Bayelsa State.
