Mr Silas Agara, Nasarawa Deputy Governor, who is seeking to succeed his boss, says he will pay a monthly allowance to Local Government and Ward officials of the APC, if elected.

Agara made the pledge on Monday in Nasarawa-Eggon, when he met with party delegates and supporters in the area.

Agara, one of the 10 aspirants to the seat, said that the gesture would improve the living standards of the party officials who were “usually forgotten after elections are won”.

“I am confident that the party officials will be more committed to contributing ideas toward good governance if elected officials make their welfare a priority,” he said.

He also promised to empower the party officials to enable them engage in meaningful ventures that would sustain them.

“The monthly allowance will motivate the officials to be active. There are times that they fail to attend meetings because of transport fare. Elected officials must look into these complaints critically,” he said.

Agara, however, explained that the allowances would be funded from his personal income, “ and not from government coffers”.

He commended party officials for their patience with the lean resources of the current administration, and promised to make them much happier when elected.

On the APC governorship primaries, Agara advised the delegates to take wise decisions devoid of sentiments and financial inducement.

“You must be wary of politicians who only show up when election are near and offer money to buy votes. Once they can buy your votes, they will abandon you when in power.

“Vote for aspirants that will be with you in good and bad times. Do not be carried away by what you may be offered because after the election, you will be forgotten because you have been paid off,” he said.

Responding, APC Chairman in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government, Alhaji Yusuf Ibrahim, thanked the Deputy Governor for his deep interest in the welfare of party officials.

He said that delegates from the area would vote wisely, declaring that none of them would fall prey to vote merchants. (NAN)