Opinion
Trump In The Bible?
The scriptures are written in parables, metaphors and allegories, thereby obfuscating inherent spiritual messages. In the Psalms (78:2) and Proverbs (1:6), the Bible refers to these as “dark sayings,” while in Matthew (13:35), it says, “I will open my mouth in parables.” In their timelessness, these dark sayings have been uncannily relevant to the affairs of man over the ages and the capacity to decode them is usually perceived as mysterious.
This piece takes a studied look at the Book of Revelations within contemporary global affairs with special reference to world leadership and the place and role of Donald Trump as President of the United States of America (US).
Revelation (13:2) reads thus: “And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.” Verse 4 says, “they worshiped the beast, saying: Who is able to make war with him?” In verse 5, it is written that “power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.”
Subjecting the above to critical analysis, we note that there are four elements of interest in Revelations 13:2 thus: (1) like unto a leopard, (2) his feet were as the feet of a bear, (3) his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and (4) the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.” A fifth element of interest is found in verse 4: “Who is able to make war with him?” In verse 5, we note the sixth element thus: “power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.” These six elements shall be the focus of analysis:
Like unto a Leopard
A distinguishing feature of the leopard is a multiplicity of spots. Applied to a person, this means a multiplicity of points of view and shades of opinion. A common saying about the leopard is that it “does not change its spots.” Within the context of this analysis, this refers to bad traits and habits that individuals are not able to change.
President Donald Trump has lived up to this statement; he has not been able to adjust to the behavioral patterns expected of a President of the US.
Feet were as…a Bear
The bear is known for its hugeness, heavy feet and resultant sluggish movement. Compared to three immediate past presidents, Trump can pass for a bear given his size and age; his movement is comparatively very sluggish, like that of a bear.
Mouth as…a Lion
One of the major characteristics of a lion is its ferocious speed. So “mouth as a lion” is in reference to talkativeness in an office that requires a mastery of taciturnity, body language and the art of leaving others to second guess what is on the mind of the incumbent. Compared to other presidents in the modern history of the US and taken within the context of his penchant for the social media, Trump is motor mouth; he does not realize the enormity of power packed by his words not only in the US but across the world.
Who is able to make war with him?
In the current global power equation, the US is considered the strongest nation on earth irrespective of the emergence of other nations jostling for space in that category of catastrophe. Resultantly, being the personification of the US, Trump is the strongest man on earth.
The Dragon gave him his Power, and his Seat, and Great Authority.
Based on the one-man-one-vote essence of democracy, the US electorate voted for Hilary Clinton as President. However, by the mechanism of the Electoral College, which is peculiar to US democracy, Donald Trump won the elections. Almost one year into office, the controversy of foreign meddling in the US elections of 2016 still rages. US electorate did not give Trump “power… his seat and great authority,” the meddlesomeness of the Dragon did. Speculations are rife and all fingers point towards Russia and China. Chinese mythology holds that the Dragon is the forebear of the people.
Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Trump was sworn in on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. A simple count from that point vis-à-vis forty-two months (three years and five months) takes us to June 2020. Does this imply a date with destiny?
Eschatology or the Decline of the US?
Donald Trump is the forty-fifth President of the US. In the science of numerology, the number nine (four plus five) is the peak of all numbers; some even say it is the number of God. From Jesus to the present, the preaching of Christians has been eschatological, “end time” ministry. Does Trump have a date with destiny in June 2020? Is the human race finally at the end time or are we only watching the beginning of the decline of the US as the numero uno world power?
In other words, has the US peaked in global power play?
Now that Pyongyang has demonstrated the missile capacity of reaching all parts of the US, is humanity on the cusp? Can humanity survive a nuclear conflagration? Was Bob Marley wrong when he sang: “have no fear for atomic energy, for none of them can stop the time?” Will our cosmic neighbours intervene?
Questions, questions, questions!!! Am I suffering from acute paranoia?
Osai, a University lecturer, writes from Port Harcourt.
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Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
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