LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- In a scene that unfolded just after midnight, Zohran Mamdani stepped into the Mayoral office, taking his oath beneath Manhattan’s long-closed subway station and instantly becoming one of the city’s most talked-about new figures.
Taking his oath at the hidden landmark known for its elegant arches and historic design, the 34-year-old Democrat was sworn in by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
With his hand placed on a Quran, Mamdani made history as the first Muslim Mayor of New York City, adding another milestone to an already groundbreaking night.
In his first remarks as mayor, Mamdani highlighted the symbolism of the location, calling it “a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city,” before announcing Mike Flynn as his commissioner of the Department of Transportation.
“This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani said during a brief address at the underground ceremony.
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The midnight moment is only just the opening act as Mamdani is scheduled to take the oath again on Thursday at City Hall in a public ceremony, this time administered by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.
Celebrations are expected to continue with a block party along Broadway’s famed “Canyon of Heroes.”
Marking the next chapter in a journey that has already redefined the city’s political and cultural narrative, Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, are expected to move from their rent-stabilized apartment into the official mayoral residence in Manhattan.
Beyond the spectacle, Mamdani’s rise has captured attention for its historic firsts. He is the youngest mayor New York City has had in generations, the first of South Asian descent, and the first born in Africa.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, he moved to New York at age seven, became a U.S. citizen in 2018, and won a seat in the New York State Assembly in 2020 representing parts of Queens.
His campaign struck a chord with younger voters and working families, centering on affordability proposals such as free child care, free buses, a rent freeze for about one million households, and a pilot program for city-run grocery stores.
Mamdani assumes office at a time when New York is stabilizing after the COVID-19 pandemic, with crime, employment, and tourism nearing pre-pandemic levels, while high prices and rising rents continue to dominate everyday conversations. He will also navigate a complex political dynamic with Republican President Donald Trump, who initially threatened to withhold federal funding if Mamdani won before later striking a more conciliatory tone.
“I want him to do a great job and will help him do a great job,” Trump said.
In the weeks since his election, Mamdani has focused on easing concerns across the city, including retaining Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
