Some residents of Abakaliki, Ebonyi capital, have congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his presidential election victory and called for consolidation in agriculture and infrastructure development.

They made the call in Abakaliki on Wednesday while reacting to Buhari’s victory in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Mr Titus Agbo, a resident and farmer urged the incoming administration to intensify easy access to cheap funds for Small and Medium Enterprises to help drive job creations.

“There is poverty in the land; the president elect should, as a matter of urgency, address poverty and unemployment by creating enabling environment for private sectors growth especially the SMEs.

“The President should also make easy access to cheap funds for SMEs to help drive job creations.

“We expect more advancement in security because our internal security is a big problem; apart from Boko Haram and banditry, kidnapping, cultism and armed robbery which have become worrisome.

“He should ensure that Nigeria and its citizens are secured,” Agbo said.

The Chairman, Ogbuoji Vanguard for Change, Mr Steven Nwankwo expressed joy over the Buhari’s victory and called on those defeated in the just concluded election to work together with the winner in development of the country’s democracy.

Nwankwo, an APC chieftain in the state, called on the president-elect to introduce more establishments that would create jobs and called for completion of projects in the country.

“I am overwhelmed by the victory of our party and the president.

“I also encourage others who were not able to make it to join hands with the winner to achieve the desired goals for this country,” Nwankwo said.

Mrs Amina Sani, an APC supporter who spoke in Hausa language, was emotional in her speech and advised that the will of God should be followed while she prayed for peace and understanding.

“Nigerians should show the world that we are not what they think we are, by allowing peace and understanding to reign in our country.

“Let all the parties both winner and the defeated work together. This victory is the will of God and blessing in disguise,” Sani said.

Mrs Nkechi Livingstone, a civil servant appealed to the president to make the issue of minimum wage a priority to enable Nigerians meet up with high cost of living.

Livingstone, an accountant, suggested that they should be a study on the economy to move viable economic policies that would be implemented to bring it stability.

“They should study the economy for policies that will grow the local industries, agricultural industry.

“Encourage and empower the youths more in farming with fund to enable them start mechanize farming.

“More power supply for businesses to survive and reduce pressure of buying fuel,” Livingstone said.

NAN reports that the city is calm with people cited in streets and offices discussing the victory of the president-elect.