Reports suggest that Chief Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the upcoming Bayelsa State governorship election on November 11, 2023, is facing a crisis within his camp. Allegedly, loyalists of the former Minister of State for Petroleum are defecting to the camp of the incumbent, Senator Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Furthermore, it appears that the national leadership of the APC is hesitant to provide financial support for Sylva's campaign.

Recent developments have seen Sylva's closest political ally, Hon. Israel Sunny Goli, a former member of the House of Representatives, and former legislators from various periods pledging their support for Diri. This situation is causing concern among Sylva's supporters and party leaders in Bayelsa State.

A source close to the APC candidate expressed worry, stating that if not handled carefully, Sylva and his supporters may face political marginalization and potentially be sidelined from Bayelsa's political landscape due to past events haunting them.

Furthermore, an attempt by Sylva to secure financial support from the APC's National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, reportedly faced obstacles. Ganduje was allegedly unenthusiastic about the idea and challenged Sylva to first provide a list of individuals he had empowered in his state. Despite Sylva's team attempting to involve the presidency by seeking support from the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila,