The Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged Nigerians to vote out the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of worsening economic hardship through rising food prices and failure to improve workers’ welfare.

The party, at the flag-off of its campaign in Lagos State at the weekend, urged civil servants, security personnel and other Nigerians to reject the ruling party at the polls, arguing that the rising cost of living had eroded the purchasing power of citizens.

Specifically, the NDC senatorial candidate for Lagos West, Moshood Salvador, cited increases in the prices of essential commodities, including bread and rice, as evidence of the economic difficulties confronting households, noting that workers’ salaries had not increased proportionately.

“The bread we were buying for N500, when they got there, we are now buying for N1,000 each,” he said, lamenting that the prices of essential commodities had risen sharply while the earnings of ordinary Nigerians remained largely unchanged.

He added that the rising cost of food and other necessities had placed additional pressure on households, questioning why workers should continue supporting a government that had failed to improve their economic circumstances.

“All civil servants in this country, if they vote for APC, which means they don’t love themselves, they don’t love their family, they don’t love their children,” Salvador said.

The NDC candidate also criticised elected representatives who, according to him, prioritised personal financial gains over their constitutional responsibilities, insisting that public office should be driven by a clear commitment to addressing the needs of constituents.

Salvador, who recalled his election to the House of Representatives in 1999, said his decision to seek office was motivated by water scarcity in Mushin, Lagos, where residents had to travel to neighbouring areas to obtain water.

“Before I contested into the House of Reps in 1999, it was because of the water scarcity in my area, Mushin, on the Olowo side. We never had water. We would go as far as Shomolu to fetch water,” he said.

He said addressing the problem was among his priorities after assuming office, adding that he also contributed his personal funds to projects aimed at improving access to water in his constituency.

He challenged political aspirants to identify the problems they intended to solve before seeking electoral mandates, stressing that elected officials must be accountable to the people who voted for them.

“From the day you decide to contest, have it in mind what you are going there to do,” he said.

Turning to his senatorial ambition, Salvador criticised what he described as inadequate representation of Lagos West in the Senate, arguing that lawmakers should be judged by their contributions to legislation and the improvement of their constituents’ lives.

“They are there to collect money, not to represent you. What is the purpose of representation? They are there just to waste our time,” he said.

He also pledged to make the protection of Nigerians abroad a priority, expressing concern over reports of Nigerians being subjected to discrimination and mistreatment in other African countries.

According to him, Nigeria should deploy its economic strength and diplomatic influence to demand respect for its citizens, adding that the government must take a firmer position whenever Nigerians are mistreated abroad.

“They treat Nigeria like trash,” Salvador said, calling for stronger measures to protect Nigerians and ensure that their dignity was respected in other countries.

Salvador also expressed support for the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing him as a leader capable of putting public interest ahead of personal considerations.

On women’s participation in governance, the candidate called for greater inclusion in political decision-making and the distribution of empowerment opportunities. He argued that women’s contributions to election campaigns and voting should be reflected in the opportunities and benefits available to them.

“No candidate can win elections outside the support of women,” he said.

He pledged to scrutinise the distribution of empowerment programmes and other public benefits, proposing that voting patterns should be considered in determining how such opportunities were allocated.

“I will make sure it is distributed in that same ratio of voting. I will get the ratio of voting. How many women vote, how many men vote. I will get records. Trust me. And every sharing will go according to that ratio,” he said.

Salvador further assured supporters that their votes would be protected during the elections and urged them not to succumb to intimidation.

“I want to give you an assurance, double assurance, that your votes will be protected,” he said, calling on party members to intensify mobilisation and encourage more Nigerians to support the NDC.

He maintained that growing dissatisfaction with the economic situation presented an opportunity for Nigerians to demand a change in leadership through the ballot box.

Also speaking, the NDC National Vice-President for the South-West and House of Representatives candidate for Eti-Osa Federal Constituency, Lagos, Pastor Mrs Dayo Akin-Taylor Ekong, said the country’s economic situation was sufficient reason for Nigerians to vote against the ruling APC.

On his part, the NDC governorship candidate in Lagos State, Funso Doherty, said the party was serious about winning the 2027 elections.

“We have determined of giving Lagosians a credible alternative and improve the quality of their lives.”