The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, who was declared wanted over an alleged $14.86m fraud, to make himself available for questioning.

The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, stated this on Monday while reacting to allegations by Sylva that the anti-graft agency had conducted itself more as an organ of the All Progressives Congress (APC) than as an institution of the state.

“He has been declared wanted; he should make himself available to the commission,” Oyewale said.

Sylva announced his resignation from the APC on Monday and said he had forwarded a copy of his resignation letter to the EFCC.

The former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources accused the commission of becoming increasingly political and alleged that the APC had abandoned the ideals upon which it was founded.

In his resignation letter dated August 31, 2026, and addressed to the APC chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Sylva said he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders, in his view, had embraced the belief that “all is fair in politics.”

“As a founding member of the APC, and one who joined other well-meaning Nigerians in building the Party with sweat and money, it is deeply saddening to witness how the ideals we espoused have been so thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted,” he wrote.

“Moreover, I cannot, in all good conscience, continue to belong to a Party whose leaders believe that ‘all is fair in politics;’ and have consistently demonstrated that belief in practice.

“All cannot be fair in any endeavour of life. The demands of basic decency and morality forbid it. Unfortunately, this mentality appears to underpin virtually every action, and even inaction, of this administration.”

Sylva also criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying the APC-led Federal Government had disappointed Nigerians.

“The present Government, formed under the banner of the APC we once loved, has disappointed the vast majority of Nigerians. And I can see neither a credible attempt nor any possibility of a revamp,” he stated.

The former governor said his decision to leave the party followed consultations with his family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers.

He described the APC as a “floundering ship whose fate appears to have been sealed by its irredeemable load of iniquities,” expressing confidence that Nigerians would use the next election to change the political direction of the country.

“I am therefore left with no other choice than to jettison a floundering ship whose fate appears to have been sealed by its irredeemable load of iniquities. I have no doubt that, in the coming election, Nigerians will vote for Nigeria and free the Country from this stranglehold on our beautiful country,” Sylva said.

Sylva accuses EFCC of political witch-hunt

Explaining why he copied the EFCC in his resignation letter, Sylva accused the commission of acting increasingly like an organ of the ruling party.

“I am deliberately putting the EFCC in copy of this letter because, of late, it has conducted itself more as an organ of the APC than as an institution of State,” he wrote.

“I am fully aware that this action of mine may invite a redoubled witch-hunt against me and my associates, but that is a risk I am willing to take.”

The EFCC declared Sylva wanted in November 2025 in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion involving $14,859,257.

His resignation from the APC also comes months after he was linked to an alleged plot against the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Sylva is listed as a defendant and described as “still at large” in a 13-count federal charge involving allegations of treason, terrorism-related offences, conspiracy and money laundering arising from the alleged plot.

Multiple reports have indicated that Sylva left the country after the investigation into the alleged plot became public. Sources familiar with the investigation also said he suspended plans to return to Nigeria after learning of a raid on his Abuja residence and the arrest of some of his associates.

Investigators have reportedly identified Sylva as an alleged principal financier of the plot, accusing him of contributing about N785m through Purple Waves Limited, an Abuja-based company.

More than N5bn was reportedly pooled for the alleged operation, with investigators tracing about N785m through Purple Waves and a bureau de change operator before the funds were allegedly distributed.

Investigators also reportedly linked funds paid into Purple Waves to proceeds from contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission and loans obtained by the company.

Sylva has denied involvement in the alleged plot. The allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings, and he has not been convicted.

In July 2026, the Department of State Services arraigned five of his associates for allegedly concealing his whereabouts after he was declared wanted in connection with the alleged plot. They pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.

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, with his tenure interrupted by court rulings. He later served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari.