The Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, Julius Bokoru, has dismissed reports linking his principal to an alleged coup plot, describing them as false, baseless and politically motivated.
Bokoru, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the speculation was the handiwork of desperate politicians attempting to undermine Sylva’s credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It was earlier reported that military investigators were interrogating the Managing Director of a Federal Government agency in the South-South over alleged links to a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, with claims that large sums were transferred to Sylva to fund the purported plan.
Bokoru, however, insisted that the allegations were fabricated lies aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the former Bayelsa State governor.
According to him, some politicians have descended into dangerous mischief because they see Chief Sylva as a major obstacle to their ambitions. Their desperation has reached nauseating levels.
He described Sylva as a thoroughbred democrat who has consistently supported President Tinubu and mobilised the entire structure of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State to endorse the president at a recent stakeholders’ meeting.
Bokoru also confirmed that Sylva’s Abuja residence was recently raided by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters, resulting in significant property damage.
He said Sylva and his wife were out of the country during the raid, explaining that the former minister was in the United Kingdom for medical checks and scheduled to attend a professional conference in Malaysia.
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.
Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this operation,” Bokoru stated.
He added that the Defence Headquarters had already dismissed reports of a coup plot, noting that Sylva had no involvement whatsoever in any such conspiracy.
Chief Sylva’s political journey has been built on faith in democracy and due process. From his time in the old Rivers State House of Assembly to his tenure as Bayelsa governor, every step has been through transparent democratic engagement, Bokoru added.
He concluded that the rumours were the handiwork of self-serving politicians consumed by 2027 ambitions, who view Sylva’s political influence as their greatest threat.
