Chief Julius Bokoru, media aide to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has dismissed reports linking his principal to an alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, following a military raid on Sylva’s residences in Abuja and Bayelsa.
In a detailed statement issued on Wednesday, Bokoru confirmed that soldiers had raided Sylva’s properties, during which his brother was arrested. He, however, insisted that the former governor had “no involvement whatsoever” in any attempt to overthrow the government.
“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,” Bokoru said.
Military Raid Without Explanation
Bokoru disclosed that the raid was carried out by individuals believed to be operatives from the Defence Headquarters but added that no official reason was given for the operation.
“To the best of my knowledge, the officers involved did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently. During the said operation, considerable damage was inflicted upon the property,” he stated.
He confirmed that Sylva and his wife, Alanyingi Sylva, were both outside the country when the raid occurred.
“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,” Bokoru added.
‘Sylva Is a Democrat, Not a Conspirator’
While the Defence Headquarters has publicly debunked the rumoured coup, Bokoru reaffirmed that Sylva had never been associated with any anti-democratic agenda.
“Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, has no involvement whatsoever, either in planning or in logistics, with any such plot. He is a thoroughbred democrat whose entire political journey has been defined by his faith in democratic processes and institutions,” Bokoru stressed.
He recalled Sylva’s long-standing record in public service, noting that his principal had always pursued power through legitimate democratic means.
“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,” he said.
Strong Support for Tinubu
Bokoru also emphasized Sylva’s unwavering loyalty to President Tinubu, describing him as one of the President’s most consistent allies in the Niger Delta.
“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,” he noted.
Aide Blames Political Desperation
Bokoru attributed the wave of speculation and false reports to “desperate and narcissistic politicians” seeking to tarnish Sylva’s reputation ahead of the 2027 elections.
“These rumours are nothing more than the handiwork of desperate 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,” Bokoru declared.
He urged the public to disregard the coup allegations, describing them as baseless distractions aimed at smearing a loyal democrat and public servant.
