A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Moshood Salvador, has called on Nigerians to rise above ethnic and religious sentiments when electing leaders in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the 27th Ramadan Lecture and Zakat 2026, which he organised in Surulere, Lagos, on Sunday, Salvador said the country’s future depended on voters choosing competence, integrity and unity over identity politics.

The event attracted politicians, clerics, community leaders and party faithful from across Lagos State and neighbouring areas.

Salvador, who leads the Conscience Forum in Lagos State and is a former Lagos chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), blamed Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges on years of poor leadership.

“We have spoken to the people about the need for good leadership. We have spoken about honesty and unity. The result of bad leadership is manifesting and staring Nigerians in the face,” he said.

According to him, hardship, unemployment and insecurity are not products of fate or ethnicity but consequences of leadership failures. He warned voters against selling their votes for temporary gains, noting that such actions would only prolong suffering.

“When you vote for the wrong leaders because of bread, rice or noodles, you will suffer, and your children will also suffer,” he said.

He urged young people to resist inducements during elections, stressing that political power is transient and that leaders would ultimately account for their stewardship before God and history.

Salvador also criticised the Electoral Act for not making electronic transmission of results mandatory in all elections, arguing that full digital transmission would enhance transparency and restore public trust in the electoral process. He called on Nigerians to defend their votes peacefully and lawfully.

Other party leaders echoed his position. ADC leader Jide Adeniji said Nigeria’s development had been hindered by ethnic and religious divisions, urging citizens to focus on national greatness rather than identity politics.

The ADC South-West zonal chairman, Rahman Owokoniran, described Salvador as a committed grassroots politician with the experience to serve Lagos State effectively if given the opportunity.

Similarly, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Chinedu Idigbo, said the ADC would remain open and transparent in its governorship selection process, adding that unity and love were essential for national progress.

The speakers agreed that the 2027 elections would be pivotal in shaping Nigeria’s democratic future and called on citizens to prioritise competence and accountability in their choices.