Internal power struggles, factionalism, insistence that power rotates through the regions and disciplinary measures have all added to the sense of disillusionment within the party.

The PDP has been robbed of high-profile figures and talent, including the loss of former Vice-President Atiku Aubakar last year.

The crisis was intensified by a debilitating leadership tussle.

In November 2025, a faction of the party, which observers say represented the majority of members, held a contentious national convention in Ibadan, Oyo state, despite court orders

Nearly six months after US President Donald Trump vowed a swift victory over Iran, the conflict appears to be at a standstill, with prospects of a military victory or negotiated settlement growing dimmer.

To break the deadlock, Trump has vowed an "economic D-Day" under which any country that does business with Iran would face "tremendous" economic consequences.

Iran, however, has long faced sanctions and has so far shown a willingness to endure pain and a capacity to adapt to immense economic and military pressure as the conflict

At the beginning of Trump's first presidential term in 2016, US national debt stood at just under $20tn. It has doubled in the decade since.

According to the Congress Joint Economic Committee, the figure is rising by about $90,000 every second, or $7.8bn a day.

"What's very different now compared to a decade ago is the level of interest rates," says Eric Swanson, professor of economics at University of California