Indigenes of Abia State resident in South Africa yesterday congratulated the governor of the state, Okezie Ikpeazu, on his victory at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.
It was reported that the tribunal had upheld the election of the governor on Tuesday.
The President of Abia State Union in South Africa, Mr Vincent Onyema, via a statement issued in Capetown, South Africa, and made available to in Port Harcourt, said that Abia indigenes in S/Africa were happy with the verdict of the tribunal.
The statement read: “ We join other Abia indigenes at home and the Diaspora to congratulate the governor on his victory at the tribunal.
“Abia State Union in South Africa urges the governor not to relent in his efforts to promote development of the state.
“We, particularly, want the governor to repair and rehabilitate infrastructure in Aba to bring back its status as the commercial centre of South East zone.
“Aba was neglected, leading to the decay in infrastructure in the bubbling commercial city.
“We urge the governor to restore the lost glory of the city.“
Onyema added that Abia indigenes in South Africa want the administration to develop the education, health, tourism and agriculture sectors.
He said the state was blessed with arable land to boost agricultural production in order to generate employment and create wealth.
“We believe that with the tribunal’s verdict, the governor is now set to implement his people-oriented programmes to move the state forward,“ he stated.