Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has issued a categorical denial of allegations linking him to an alleged coup plot aimed at destabilising the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking through his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, Sylva described the reports as “utterly false” and politically motivated, insisting he had no involvement whatsoever in any activity resembling a coup. According to Bokoru, the rumours are the handiwork of political opponents seeking to damage Sylva’s image ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is true that the residence of His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, was recently subjected to a raid by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters. During the operation, considerable damage was inflicted on the property. The reason for the raid was not made known by the security agents. Sylva and his wife were not in Nigeria when it happened. As of my last communication with His Excellency, he was undergoing routine medical checks in the United Kingdom, after which he was scheduled to attend a professional conference in Malaysia,” Bokoru said in a statement.
Bokoru emphasised that Sylva remains a “loyal democrat” and committed supporter of Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He appealed to the public to ignore the “baseless rumours,” noting that the Defence Headquarters had denied any suggestion of a coup plot involving Sylva.
Born on 7 July 1964 in Okpoama-Brass, Bayelsa State, Sylva holds a degree in English Language/Linguistics from the University of Port Harcourt, where he graduated with distinction.
His political career spans several roles:
• Member of the Rivers State House of Assembly in the early 1990s.
• Governor of Bayelsa State (initially elected 2007; re-elected 2008) until 2012.
• Appointed Minister of State for Petroleum Resources in August 2019 under President Muhammadu Buhari.
Raid on Residence and Political Implications
The incident at Sylva’s Abuja home — reportedly searched by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters — adds a layer of intrigue to the allegations. Sylva was abroad at the time, according to his aide. There is no public explanation yet from security agencies for the operation or the damage reportedly caused.
Observers suggest that the timing of the rumours may be tied to internal party contests and positioning ahead of the 2027 general election, especially in Bayelsa State, a key oil-producing region with substantial political weight.
As of now, the military and defence establishment have not confirmed any internal threat linked to Sylva. The denial from his camp focuses on the politics of image and reputation rather than presenting concrete evidence to refute the allegations.
For Sylva and the APC, the next steps will likely include legal and public-relations efforts to reclaim narrative control and emphasise his record in government and the oil and gas sector. For the public, the episode raises questions about the role of security agencies in political disputes and the transparency of operations targeting high-profile individuals.
What has been confirmed
• Sylva’s media aide, Julius Bokoru, confirmed that Sylva’s Abuja residence was raided by “individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters.”
• The aide said that Sylva and his wife were abroad at the time (UK for medical check-up, then Malaysia for a conference).
• Bokoru stated that Sylva denies any involvement “in planning or logistics” of any coup plot and claims the allegations are politically motivated.
• Several news outlets report that neither the Nigeria Army nor the Defence Headquarters have made full official comment on the raid or related investigation. For instance, the Army “declined to comment” when asked.
There is no publicly available official statement from the Defence Headquarters or the Army that clearly confirms a raid on Sylva’s home in connection with a coup plot, nor do they publicly corroborate the allegations linking Sylva to the plot.
While reports say the raid was linked to an investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), solid evidence publicly released linking Sylva to the detained senior officers or the plot remains lacking.
The exact authorisation, legal basis, and results of the raid remain opaque: Bokoru states that the security operatives did not provide any clear explanation for the action.
