The Concerned Nigerian Youth Forum (CNYF) has added its voice to the growing calls for the resignation of embattled Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, and for his trial over alleged corruption.

Describing the allegations of corruption against Mr. Orubebe as “weighty”, CNYF said: “Coupled with his many sins and failure to deliver on his mandate we demand for his immediate resignation as cabinet member. Besides, we call on anti-graft agencies to commence the immediate investigation of all allegations of corruption against the Minister in the interest of fairness and justice.”

CNYF in a statement signed by its Secretary General, John Pepple, and made available to News Express also berated Orubebe “for his unbridled 2015 governorship ambition.” The group aligned itself with the position of Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, who recently came out publicly to oppose the minister’s governorship aspiration. “We wish to maintain that the Chief Edwin Clark has spoken. There is no way he can make it. He can never be the Governor of Delta State,” CNYF declared.

The group threw its weight behind Delta State Elders, Leaders and Stakeholders Forum, which two days ago led a protest to submit petition against Orubebe for alleged economic crimes. It condemned the minister for allegedly sending thugs to Chief Clark’s house to beat up Mr. Lawrence Okojie, a cameraman of TV Continental for covering the protest.

Giving details of the show of shame, CNYF said: “The beating of the cameraman was masterminded by one Sunny Clark who ran away with the Camera and tape of TV Continental while Sunny Clark’s boys namely Zenibo Doubra, Sam. E. Amana, Victor, Raymond Fred, Timi Alale and Potoki Etulumor beat up the cameraman to the point of death!

“The Police arrested Zenibo Doubra, Sam. E. Amana, Victor, Raymond Fred, Timi Alale and Potoki Etulumor and were detained at Asokoro Police Station. On hearing of the arrest, Elder Orubebe sent one ACP Abutu Yaro, a former Area Commander in Warri Division to apply for their bail. ACP Yaro, who came to Asokoro Police Station in a Landcruser Jeep, on the order of Elder Orubebe, asked the boys to return the camera and tape of TV Continental, which serves as the bail condition.

“The Cameraman, Mr. Lawrence Okojie has instituted N5 billion suit against Elder Orubebe.”

•Photo: Orubebe.