The national assembly petitions tribunal sitting in Abia state has sacked ORJI UZOR KALU as senator representing Abia north.

KALU, who is currently the senate chief whip, had been elected under the All Progressives Congress.

But the tribunal nullified his election at its sitting, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a supplementary election within 90 days.

KALU was declared winner of the election by INEC, which the PDP candidate, MAO OHUABUNWA described as excess electoral fraud and broad daylight robbery.

Although the tribunal upheld OHUABUNWA’s argument that KALU was not duly elected, it ordered a rerun acrossthree local government areas where votes were cancelled during the poll.

The Department of State Services has reiterated its alert to the nation about plans by subversive groups and individuals to undermine national security, peace and unityin the country.

This was revealed in a statement by the DSS spokesman, PETER AFUNAYA, who did not mention any name or group but said the service would not relent in its bid to secure the country.

He said the said elements are determined to exploit political differences and other occurrences, within and outside the country, to destabilize the nation.

According to the statement, theyalso initiate narratives to deepen their subversive objectives so as to achieve preferred illegal outcomes.

AFUNAYA said the aim is to set the country on fire as well as inflame passions across ethnic and religious divides with expected violent consequences.

He also urged the public to be conscious of fake news, warning those in the habit of spreading false reports to desist.

President MUHAMMADU BUHARI has directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, GEOFFREY ONYEAMA, to further engage the South African authorities on the appropriate measuresto be taken, to end the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

He has also given approval for the immediate voluntary evacuation of all Nigerians, who are willing to return to Nigeria.

The President gave the directive upon receiving the report of the special envoy he sent to President CYRIL RAMAPHOSA last week, to register Nigeria’s concerns over the attacks.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), FEMI ADESINA, the Presidency said the special envoy, who is the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, AHMED RUFAI-ABUBAKAR, returned to Nigeria after the assignment and has submitted his report to the president.

President BUHARI stressed the need for South African Government to take visible measures to stop violence against citizens of brotherly African nations.

According to the statement, President BUHARI is worried that the recurring issue of xenophobia could negatively affect the image and standing of South Africa as one of the leading countries on the continent, if nothing is done to stop it.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project is seeking compensation to the tune of $10bn on behalf of hundreds of Nigerians who were victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The group made this demand in an open letter sent to Mrs. SOYATA MAIGA, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The letter signed by the deputy director KOLAWOLE OLUWADARE.

It also asked members of the commission to file a case on the escalating xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African citizens in South Africa before the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

SERAP noted that the commission ought to make it clear to the South African authorities that the victims of the heinous crimes have a right to an effective remedy and reparation.