By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu Abuja
As whispers of an alleged coup plot ripple through Nigeria’s political landscape, security agencies have reportedly intensified investigations into alleged plans by some individuals to destabilize the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The move follows unverified reports linking former Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, to the purported plot.
Though details remain sketchy, the allegations have set off waves of speculation within political and security circles. Sources close to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) said the agency, alongside other law enforcement bodies, is currently probing the claims to determine their veracity.
The reports alleged that Sylva may have fled the country through the Niger Delta creeks to Senegal, allegedly en route to Argentina. This has further heightened curiosity and uncertainty about the true circumstances surrounding the development.
According to some online accounts, the former minister was said to have business interests in both Senegal and Argentina and had at one point been lobbying for a diplomatic appointment as Nigeria’s ambassador to Argentina. These reports have not, however, been independently verified.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) nor the Department of State Services (DSS) had issued any official statement confirming the allegations or the purported raids on Sylva’s residences in Abuja and Bayelsa. The absence of official comment has left room for widespread speculation.
Efforts to reach Chief Sylva or his media representatives for comments proved unsuccessful, further fueling curiosity about his current whereabouts and the truth behind the circulating reports.
Sources within his political circle, however, dismissed the allegations as “baseless and politically motivated,” insisting that the former minister remains a loyal party man and a respected statesman within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Security analysts say the allegations underscore the tense political atmosphere in the country, especially amid mounting economic hardship and public dissatisfaction. They warn that such rumours, whether true or false, can inflame political divisions and undermine confidence in democratic institutions.
They also urged the public to await official clarification before drawing conclusions, stressing the need for restraint and accuracy in matters capable of threatening national stability.
The former minister, who once governed Bayelsa State, has maintained a relatively low profile since leaving office but continues to wield influence within the APC. He is widely regarded as one of the party’s key power brokers in the Niger Delta.
Observers note that this is not the first time prominent political figures have been linked to unverified coup-related claims, often surfacing in the wake of major political transitions or internal party realignments.
Some analysts believe that such reports, whether true or not, highlight underlying distrust within sections of the political class, particularly as Nigeria navigates complex security and economic challenges.
Others see it as a reflection of the country’s fragile political climate, where rumour and perception can quickly spiral into national concern. They warn that security agencies must handle the investigation transparently to avoid further public tension.
The Federal Government has yet to comment on the alleged coup plot, even as investigations are said to be ongoing. For now, the story remains one of many swirling through Abuja’s rumour mill unconfirmed, but potent enough to grip public attention.
Until clear facts emerge, the case of Timipre Sylva and the alleged coup plot remains a mystery one that underscores Nigeria’s uneasy intersection of power, politics, and security.