By Ayo Kehinde
Mr Julius Bokoru, a Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to ex- Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has dismissed reports claiming that his principal fled Nigeria in connection with an alleged coup plot.
In a statement made available to THISAGE on Wednesday and tilted “Setting the Record Straight on Recent False Reports About Sylva,” Bokoru, described the speculation as “a product of political desperation and deliberate misinformation.”
Earlier reports say that soldiers raided the Abuja residence of the former Bayelsa State governor over an alleged coup plot being investigated by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Bokoru however confirmed that the Abuja home of the former minister was indeed raided by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters, resulting in extensive damage to the property.
However, he said no formal explanation or authorisation for the operation had been communicated to Sylva.
“Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid. To the best of my knowledge, the officers involved did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently,” Bokoru said.
He clarified that both Sylva and his wife, Alanyingi, were outside the country when the incident occurred.
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.
Bokoru explained that Sylva only became aware of the raid after reports surfaced on social media, which were later twisted into false claims that he had gone into hiding to evade investigation.
He stressed that the Defence Headquarters had already denied rumours of any coup plot in the country and reaffirmed that Sylva had no connection with such activities.
“Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, has no involvement whatsoever, either in planning or logistics—with any coup plot.
“He is a thoroughbred democrat whose entire political career has been defined by faith in democratic institutions and due process,” Bokoru stated.
He highlighted Sylva’s democratic credentials, recalling his election into the old Rivers State House of Assembly in the 1990s and his later emergence as Governor of Bayelsa State, both achieved through transparent, lawful processes.
Bokoru also reaffirmed Sylva’s loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, noting that the former governor recently mobilised the entire Bayelsa APC structure to endorse Tinubu at the party’s Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting earlier this year.
He accused unnamed politicians of sponsoring the false reports to tarnish Sylva’s reputation ahead of the 2027 elections, describing them as “desperate and self-serving individuals threatened by Sylva’s enduring political relevance.”
“These rumours are nothing more than the handiwork of desperate politicians already consumed by ambition. They see Sylva as their last real obstacle, a man whose political presence and credibility continue to expose their dark motives,” Bokoru said.
He urged the public and the media to disregard the falsehoods and rely only on verified information, reaffirming that Sylva remains committed to democracy and the rule of law.
Full text of Statement made available to THISAGE;
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON RECENT FALSE REPORTS ABOUT SYLVA
In the past forty-eight hours, I have been inundated with calls from members of the press, political associates, and concerned individuals regarding a circulating report alleging that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, has “fled” the country in connection with certain purported matters.
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 said operation, considerable damage was inflicted upon the property.
Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid. To the best of my knowledge, the officers involved did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently.
It is important to state unequivocally that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, and his esteemed wife, Her Excellency, Alanyingi Sylva, were both outside the country at the time of the incident.
As at my last communication with His Excellency, he was engaged in a routine medical check-up in the United Kingdom, after which he was scheduled to proceed to Malaysia to attend a professional conference.
The next development I was made aware of, regrettably, were reports circulating across social media and other platforms concerning the raid on his residence.
While the Defence Headquarters has already debunked the swirling rumours of a coup in Nigeria, it is important to state emphatically that Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, has no involvement whatsoever—either in planning or in logistics—with any such plot.
Chief Sylva is a thoroughbred democrat, whose entire political journey has been defined by his faith in democratic processes and institutions. From the 1990s, when he was first elected into the Old Rivers State House of Assembly, to his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State, Sylva has achieved every milestone through transparent, democratic engagement and the will of the people.
His unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a matter of public record. It remains fresh in memory how he mobilized the entire Bayelsa APC structure to unanimously endorse President Tinubu at the APC Bayelsa Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting.
These rumours are nothing more than the handiwork of desperate and narcissistic politicians, already consumed by ambitions for 2027, who see Sylva as their last real obstacle—a man whose political presence and credibility continue to expose their dark, self-serving ambitions.
Julius Bokoru
Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to H.E. Timipre Sylva, CON
29 October 2025
