Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday staged a peaceful protest at the United States Embassy in Abuja, calling for international intervention to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.

The protesters urged the global community to help prevent the country from sliding into what they described as a one party state.

During the demonstration, the PDP members carried placards and chanted solidarity songs, demanding fairness, transparency, and respect for democratic institutions.

They also submitted protest letters to officials at the US Embassy, the European Union Delegation Complex, and the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja.

As of the time of filing this report, officials from the affected institutions have yet to issue a public response to the PDP’s petition.

Follow BONA NAIJA for more

Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has made history as the newly elected Mayor of New York City, winning by a landslide and setting the stage for a political showdown with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly attacked him as a “little Communist.”

Mamdani, 34, will take office on January 1, becoming one of the most left-leaning figures ever to lead America’s largest city. Here are five things to know about his victory and what lies ahead for his administration.

1. Landslide Victory

Mamdani secured over one million votes, winning 50 percent of ballots cast compared to his closest rival, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who earned just under 42 percent. The election saw the highest voter turnout since 1969.

His campaign’s vast grassroots network of 100,000 volunteers reached every borough and community, running on a message of economic equality, affordable housing, and public welfare.

“We have toppled a political dynasty,” Mamdani said, referencing the end of the Cuomo family’s decades-long influence in New York politics.

2. Trump on the Horizon

Mamdani’s outspoken criticism of President Trump’s policies has already drawn sharp rebukes from the White House. The president has threatened to cut off federal funding to New York and labeled Mamdani “a little Communist.”

Mamdani previously urged Americans to “reject Trump’s fascism”, signaling that his tenure could bring renewed political tension between City Hall and Washington.

3. Time to Prepare

With less than two months before taking office, Mamdani must assemble a capable team to deliver on his ambitious progressive agenda including city-run supermarkets, free daycare, and fare-free bus routes.

He has already appointed five women to co-chair his transition team, including Maria Torres-Springer, who resigned as deputy mayor under outgoing Mayor Eric Adams due to his engagement with Trump.

Political analysts say he will need a savvy cabinet capable of navigating both City Hall and Albany, especially as the city faces threats of federal funding cuts and a possible loss of food assistance for 1.8 million residents amid a government shutdown.

“His vision for New York is not crazy,” said Lincoln Mitchell, a Columbia University politics professor. “It’s filling in the gaps in our tattered social safety net.”

4. Jewish Outreach

New York, home to the largest Jewish community outside Israel, has seen a surge in antisemitic incidents, with 57 percent of hate crimes in the city targeting Jewish people, according to outgoing Mayor Adams.

Mamdani faced criticism from pro-Israel groups over his support for Palestinian rights and his condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza, which he described as “a genocide.” The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has announced plans to monitor his policies closely.

In his victory speech, Mamdani pledged to stand “steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers” and confront antisemitism head-on, while insisting the ADL’s scrutiny must be “honest and fair.”

5. End of an Era

Mamdani’s triumph marks the end of an era in New York politics, sidelining both Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams, and signaling a leftward shift for the Democratic Party.

Backed by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mamdani’s insurgent campaign energized young voters and working-class communities, promising a fresh, inclusive approach to governance.

“This is not just a political win,” he said. “It’s a mandate for a fairer, freer New York.”

Follow BONA NAIJA for more

The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the recent pronouncement by the United States government declaring Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) and hinting at possible military intervention.

Obi, in a statement shared on his verified social media handles, said the development should worry every well-meaning Nigerian, noting that the nation is currently facing an unprecedented level of insecurity leading to widespread loss of lives and property.

“According to Amnesty International, over 10,000 people have been killed in Nigeria since May 2023, and as I have repeatedly lamented, the unwarranted and unprovoked killing of Nigerians is most condemnable. All efforts must be made to bring it to a stop,” Obi said.

He stressed that the deteriorating security situation was largely avoidable with competent and responsible leadership.

“While the insecurity did not start with the present government, what is most unfortunate is the lack and absence of competence, commitment, prudent use of resources, patriotism and passion on the part of the APC-led government to effectively govern, galvanise and lead Nigeria where no one is unwarrantedly oppressed and killed—a nation where peace, truth, and justice reign,” Obi added.

The former Anambra State governor also underscored the importance of maintaining strong diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the United States, describing both nations as longstanding strategic partners in promoting peace and security across the region.

“That relationship should not falter. The present situation calls for constructive diplomatic and other plausible engagements by both nations aimed at addressing the prevailing and disturbing security concerns. Both countries must work in concert and expeditiously towards that purpose,” he said.

Follow BONA NAIJA for more

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended four of its top national officers, including the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), amid rising tension within the party’s leadership.

The suspension, which is for one month, also affects the Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, and the National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature.

PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Saturday after an emergency NWC meeting held at the party’s Legacy House headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

According to Ologunagba, the decision was made in line with the party’s constitution and followed a review of recent developments, including a court order halting the PDP’s planned national convention.

“The NWC, in line with the party’s constitution, came to the following conclusion: the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and National Organizing Secretary, Umaru Bature, have been suspended for one month and referred to the PDP Disciplinary Committee,” Ologunagba said.

The latest action marks a deepening crisis within the main opposition party, coming just hours after it openly rejected a Federal High Court judgment restraining it from holding its planned national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

On Friday, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, barred the PDP from proceeding with the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, pending the determination of a suit challenging the legality of the exercise.

In a swift reaction, the PDP had described the ruling as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process,” vowing to proceed with all internal activities leading up to the convention.

“The judgment of the court does not vitiate our ability to proceed with the processes and activities towards the National Convention to elect new national officers to pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years,” the party’s spokesperson insisted in a statement titled “PDP Planned National Convention Not Vitiated by Court.”

Ologunagba further cited a recent Supreme Court judgment affirming the supremacy of political parties in the management of their internal affairs, stressing that the PDP remains guided by its constitution.

“Our party notes the recent judgment of the Supreme Court which affirms the supremacy of a political party in managing its internal affairs,” he added.

Despite the leadership rift and legal challenges, the PDP leadership has directed its members, chapters, and organs nationwide to remain focused and resolute in preparation for the forthcoming convention.

Follow BONA NAIJA for more

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the outcome of the forthcoming 2025 National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the matter, gave the order while delivering judgment in a suit challenging the legality of the planned convention.

In his ruling, the court held that the PDP failed to comply with the relevant provisions of the law governing the conduct of such conventions.

According to Justice Omotosho, evidence presented by INEC and some respondents revealed that no congresses were held in certain states of the federation, contrary to the party’s constitutional requirements and electoral laws.

The court further ruled that the signing of notices and correspondences by the PDP National Chairman without the involvement of the National Secretary was a violation of the law, rendering such communications invalid and of no effect.

Justice Omotosho also observed that the PDP did not issue the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC before convening its meetings and congresses, a breach that prevented the commission from performing its statutory duty of monitoring the party’s internal activities.

Consequently, the judge held that the party’s failure to comply with the law had placed the planned 2025 national convention in jeopardy. He therefore barred INEC from recognizing any outcome that may arise from such a convention until the party fulfills all legal and procedural requirements.

Justice Omotosho advised the PDP leadership to rectify all irregularities and comply fully with the law before proceeding with the convention.

Follow BONA NAIJA for more