Timipre Sylva’s Alleged Link to Coup Plot Politically Motivated-Aide

Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has dismissed rumours linking him to an alleged coup plot, describing the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sylva’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Julius Bokoru, said the false narrative was being circulated by “desperate and narcissistic politicians” driven by their 2027 ambitions and fear of Sylva’s growing political influence.
Bokoru noted that the former governor has always been a committed democrat and a loyal supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recalling that he recently mobilised the All Progressives Congress (APC) structure in Bayelsa State to endorse the President at a stakeholders’ meeting.
“Chief Sylva is a thoroughbred democrat whose political journey has always been defined by transparency, due process, and the will of the people,” Bokoru said. “He has no connection—direct or indirect—with any alleged coup plot. These rumours are the handiwork of desperate politicians trying to tarnish his image ahead of 2027.”
Bokoru, however, confirmed that Sylva’s Abuja residence was recently raided by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters, during which significant damage was done to the property. He said the officers neither gave reasons for the operation nor disclosed under whose authority they acted.
He clarified that Sylva and his wife were not in Nigeria during the incident. According to him, the former minister was in the United Kingdom for a routine medical check-up and was scheduled to proceed to Malaysia for a professional conference.
“Contrary to the false reports suggesting that Chief Sylva fled the country, he has been abroad for medical and professional engagements,” Bokoru added. “It is regrettable that some individuals have twisted this into a false narrative of fear or flight.”
Bokoru also noted that the Defence Headquarters has already debunked the circulating rumours of a coup attempt in Nigeria, stressing that Sylva’s name should not be associated with any such unfounded speculation.
He described the entire episode as a calculated attempt to malign a respected statesman whose political credibility remains a threat to his rivals’ ambitions.