Former New York City Council candidate George Onuorah has dismissed Democratic Socialist mayoral contender Zoran Mamdani as inexperienced and unfit to lead a complex city like New York, insisting that former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s experience and record in government make him far better suited for the job.
Speaking on ARISE News on Saturday, Onuorah, who once ran as a Democrat but has since crossed to the Republican Party, said the first mayoral debate between the 33-year-old Mamdani and 67-year-old Cuomo revealed “vastly different visions” for the city’s future.
“Zoran Mamdani is not only young — he’s even younger than my daughter — but his experience is so thin compared to Andrew Cuomo,” Onuorah said. “Cuomo has been Secretary for Housing and Urban Development under President Clinton, twice served as New York Attorney General, and later as governor. What Mamdani is selling is social-media effervescence that has no bearing on real governance. New York City is a city of 8.4 million people, and he hasn’t even created one job.”
Onuorah defended Cuomo against lingering criticisms over his resignation in 2021 following sexual harassment and COVID-19 controversies, saying many of the allegations had been withdrawn.
“From what I know, a lot of those accusations have been retracted,” he said. “During COVID, Cuomo briefed New Yorkers every morning. To blame him for the deaths is unfair. The pandemic ravaged entire communities — in my own neighbourhood in Queens, we lost about fifteen people in one night.”
While acknowledging that Mamdani currently leads the polls with a ten-point advantage, Onuorah insisted that Cuomo still has time to close the gap before the November 4 election.
“Politics can change overnight,” he said. “Cuomo came out strong in the debate, articulating his vision, his solid experience, and where he wants to take the city. Mamdani keeps talking about taxing the rich — but who makes the money that runs New York City?”
He attributed Mamdani’s polling strength to youthful enthusiasm rather than political depth.
“These are young people with no real inclination for politics — they just see his theatrics on social media,” Onuorah said. “Cuomo is supported by centrists who understand governance.”
Onuorah highlighted Cuomo’s record of tangible achievements while in office, citing major infrastructure and economic milestones.
“Cuomo transformed LaGuardia Airport and built the Mario Cuomo Bridge,” he said. “He also raised the minimum wage. Experience is the most important thing in governance, and Cuomo has it.”
Onuorah, who returns to New York next week, said he remains confident that experience and substance will ultimately prevail over populist appeal.
“Cuomo has a solid résumé and knows how to get things done,” he said. “That’s what New York needs right now.”
Boluwatife Enome
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