The Media and Public Affairs aide 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 “baseless, malicious, and politically motivated.”
Bokoru, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the claims were fabricated by desperate politicians attempting to discredit Sylva ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said those spreading the rumours were “driven by fear and envy” of Sylva’s political influence, adding that the former Bayelsa State governor had always been a steadfast supporter of President Bola Tinubu and his administration.
“These wicked politicians have taken their desperation to nauseating levels because they see Chief Sylva as a major obstacle to their selfish ambitions,” Bokoru stated.
“Chief Sylva is an unrepentant democrat whose political career has been built on transparency, loyalty, and faith in democratic institutions.”
The clarification follows a PUNCH report that military investigators had detained the Managing Director of a federal agency in the South-South over an alleged plot to overthrow President Tinubu.
According to intelligence sources, the official was accused of transferring a large sum of money to Sylva, allegedly to fund the plot, a claim Bokoru insists is false and mischievous.
He described the entire narrative as “a poorly crafted smear campaign” by individuals who feel threatened by Sylva’s “towering political profile.”
Bokoru also confirmed that Sylva’s Abuja residence was recently raided by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters, resulting in damage to the property.
“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,” he said.
“Considerable damage was inflicted on the property, and no explanation or official authorisation for the raid has been provided. At the time of the operation, Chief Sylva and his wife were both out of the country.”
Bokoru further clarified that Sylva was in the United Kingdom for routine medical checks and scheduled to travel to Malaysia for a professional conference, not fleeing the country as alleged in the viral reports.
“I have received several calls from journalists and political associates over claims that Chief Sylva fled the country because of the alleged coup. That is completely false,” he stressed.
He noted that the Defence Headquarters had already denied the existence of any coup plot, reiterating that Sylva had no involvement either directly or indirectly in any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
“From his days in the old Rivers State House of Assembly to his time as Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Sylva has achieved every milestone through democratic means,” Bokoru said.
“These rumours are simply the handiwork of desperate and narcissistic politicians already obsessed with 2027. They see Sylva as their biggest obstacle, a man whose integrity and political weight continue to expose their dark ambitions.”
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