I’m not involved in any coup plot — Sylva

Chief Timipre Sylva, the former Governor of Bayelsa, has vehemently denied any involvement in an alleged coup plot, despite his residence reportedly being raided by operatives of the Defence Headquarters.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, October 29, Sylva’s spokesperson, Julius Bokoru, dismissed reports of the former governor’s involvement as “untrue” and the “handiwork of desperate and narcissistic politicians” focused on the 2027 elections.

Bokoru confirmed that “individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters” conducted a raid on the former governor’s residence, which resulted in “considerable damage was inflicted upon the property.”

The spokesperson admitted he was “unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid” as “the officers involved did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently.”

The statement follows swirling rumours of a coup plot in Nigeria, which the Defence Headquarters has reportedly already debunked.

Despite the military’s denial of a coup, the raid on Sylva’s home appears to lend credence to reports that the Nigerian military may be investigating the alleged plot.

Addressing reports that the former governor had fled the country, Bokoru clarified that Sylva and his wife, Alanyingi, were currently in the UK for a routine medical check-up and are scheduled to proceed to Malaysia for a professional conference.

Bokoru emphasized Sylva’s democratic credentials and political allegiance: “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.”

He characterised Sylva as “a thoroughbred democrat” whose political journey is defined by his “faith in democratic processes and institutions” and whose “unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a matter of public record.”

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