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Beyond Political, Spiritual Predictions …Donald Trump To Lead The Free World

Published

9 years ago

November 14, 2016

Under-estimated from day one, berated and scorned by some, not many saw him coming or even gave him a chance. But bad-mouthing billionaire businessman, Donald Trump is today President-elect of the most powerful nation on earth, the United States of America (USA).

From the primaries, in the Republican party, to the campaigns for the Presidential elections, he was controversial, his political rhetorics, divisive and unspoken word racist. He berated leading lights of his own Grand Od Party (GOP), vilified former US President George Bush over Iraq, mocked frontline republican rivals Michael Rubio, as little Rubio and Ted Cruise, lying ruise.

His campaign style was benile and polarising. He threatened to deport over 11 million undocumented immigrants, restrict Muslim’s influx into the country, build a wall to restrain Mexicans, who he described as rapists and criminals, mocked a physically challenged reporter, denigrated another female journalist and vowed to replace the status in Washington, the seat of US Political Power.

At some point, the choices left for the Republican Party were to replace Trump or distance itself from him. Infact, many top Republicans openly voiced their disapproval of his candidacy and promised to vote for his Democratic Party rival, former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

So when, towards the last three weeks of the campaign, a leud tape went virile, one that saw Trump boasting about his approach to and passion for a class of women, most GOP members thought it was the height of it. Here was a man facing protests among women for describing some of their ilk as pigs, one who described living conditions of African Americans as awful, one who questioned the nationhood of the first Black President, Barack Obama and indeed one caught boasting about his escapades with women, in his own words on tape.

To make matters worse, after Trump had in defence described his vulgar comments as locker-room talk and denying during one of the debates of doing any of those things he boasted about, more than 12 women surfaced with claims that he had sexually harassed them. One even produced a photograph of herself and Trump, all of which, he denied ever meeting, calling them ‘attention seekers’.

Even in the midst of his controversies, his condemnation of nearly all known democratic structures did not abate. Trump said the Amercian press was rigged and so was the political process. Infact, Trump said the political system was rigged against him and threatened not to accept the eventual outcome unless he won.

To describe Trump as a controversial candidate would be an understatement, he was not a conventional politician who spoke guidedly, mindful that what he said would impact on his ambition. Instead, the more foul language, the more electoral missteps, the more polarising campaign, the more accepting Trump became to an equally little-seen voting force.

In poll after poll, Trump trailed Clinton first by double digits and later by a narrow single digit when Clinton’s long dragging E-mail scandal was dramatically re-opened by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Trump’s closest to his opponent in average of all polls was two percentage points and again rose to three, after the FBI finally cleared Clinton. Yet Trump remained on point, insisting amidst jeers that he would win unless the process was rigged against him.

Before the elections proper, the Cable News Network (CNN) pre-poll projections, gave Clinton 268 electoral votes as against trump’s 204, meaning Trump needed to win as many as six states to hit the 270 magic number needed to win the elections, yet Trump soldiered on.

Rather than be discouraged, Trump stretched his campaigns to hardcore traditionally Democratic Party-controlled states like Minessota, Wisconson, and Virginia, all states won by Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. He also stormed Pennsylvania after making strong showing in Ohio and Iowa.

Trump’s never-say-die disposition to the campaigns forced out the DNC political machine led by President Obama, accompanied by Senator Bonnie Sanders, Vice President Biden, First Lady Michele Obama, Former President Bill Clinton and daughter, Chelsea and indeed all notable Democrats. To stop Trump, the Clinton Campaign revisited Blue states earlier visited by the opponent and even had to go to Colorado, North Carohna and Pennsylvania thrice.

In the end, it was Trump that emerged winner, even after Nigeria’s TV evangelist, Prophet T.B. Joshua had predicted a Clinton victory. It was a victory that was largely unforeseen and even prayed against by many American allies whose relationship with the US he had threatened to review.

Trump had threatened to annul the Iranian deal, force nations enjoying US protection to pay for it and approach all treaties with the eyes of a businessman and above all exit the Paris Climate Change Protocol, to save the US coal industry. Infact, he warned that the days when America played father Christmas and global Policeman without proper reward were over. To make ‘America Great Again’, Trump promised to re-negotiate all existing trade deals and return American jobs, chlipped to China and elsewhere back to Americans.

The question was what went right rather than wrong with Trump?. Paul Ryan, Chairman of the US-Congress, a top Republican who once distanced himself from the Trump campaigns explained: When others were listening to the familiar, Trump heard the voices of many Americans, most didn’t hear – the voices of Americans who wanted a clean-break with the way Washington did its business.

It was a protest by the middle class American, working class crop battling with high health insurance premiums and static wage and Americans tired of the political status quo. Trump heard the voices of those Americans, in the loudest pitch possible, with roaring calls for change, which Democrats and even Republicans did not hear. Not even President Obama, with his high approval rating.

Infact, Obama repeatedly told Americans that Trump lacked the temperament to serve as Commander-in-Chief and with his divisive and exclusionist rhetorics, was unfit to be President. He then advised Americans to reject Trump.

But as it is, Obama must eat his words and has. He must ensure a smooth transition like that he enjoyed from the Bush Presidency and has started and must help heal the wounds of the disappointed and morally wounded and has through public speeches after the results.

Such was the unpredictability of the 2016 American elections. It was a displacement of the status quo, not only in Washington, but indeed the whole of the all powerful American media which predicted a Clinton victory to the angst of Trump.

Nearly all the powerful newspapers endorsed Clinton with only one endorsing Trump. All but one poll chose Clinton as preferred winner but in the end it was Trump and not Clinton that made it to the finishing line first, putting to question the time-tested electoral polling system of the US media.

What went wrong with the US media? Trump supporters insisted the media was biased against their candidate and so was deliberately peddling anti-Trump falsehood, including questionable poll results to sway voters. They repeatedly questioned the authenticity of the polls, saying they were unbelievable but who dared challenge the US media and succeed, not with the first amendment which makes free speech a number one right.

That is why it’s difficult to blame pundits who went along with the American media to predict a Clinton victory must be forgiven. Trump fooled all.

My Agony is that the social media has been making a mince meat of the vocal Prophet T.B. Joshua for predicting a Clinton victory, which never was. Some even questioned the ‘god’ who revealed that false prophecy to him.

Truth is T.B. Joshua predicated that Clinton would win and she did. She won the popular votes. Only, Trump too won. He won the all-important electoral college votes. However, of both winners, T.B. Joshua’s and Trump, it is the latter that is the 45th President-elect of the United States of America. Full-stop.

Soye Wilson Jamabo

Featured

PANDEF Hails Tinubu For Lifting Emergency Rule In Rivers

Published

2 weeks ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has hailed the lifting of the State of Emergency in Rivers State, effective midnight, Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

In a statement signed by Board members and National Executive Committee members, yesterday, PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu for rectifying what they described as an anomaly.

The statement was co-signed by Co-Chairmen, PANDEF Board of Trustees, Alfred Diette-Spiff and Obong Victor Attah, National Chairman Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, and National Secretary, Beks Dagogo-Jack.

Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State on the 18th of March, 2025, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, and members of the state House of Assembly for six months in the first instance.

In place of the governor, the President appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as Sole Administrator.

However, Tinubu announced the suspension of the Emergency Rule on Wednesday, stating, “It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”

The Forum commended Fubara’s unwavering perseverance and “faith in the divine will of Almighty God,” while also commending the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, the Speaker, and members of the House of Assembly, who were equally affected by the suspension.

“The Board and National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, the apex socio-political organisation representing the South-South geopolitical zone, joins millions of Nigerians in welcoming the lifting of the state of emergency in Rivers State, effective midnight, Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

“While PANDEF had expressed strong reservations regarding the erstwhile emergency rule, we commend His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for taking this bold step to rectify the anomaly.

“We welcome Governor Siminalayi Fubara back to his elected office and salute his unwavering perseverance and faith in the divine will of Almighty God. We extend similar commendations to the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Oduah, the Speaker, and members of the House of Assembly, who were equally affected by the suspension,” the statement read.

Addressing Rivers people, the forum declared, “Light has returned to the state and a new glorious dawn has come. A moment in which the bitter pains of the past months will inspire all to rededicate themselves to true mutual forbearance, new alignments and forward movement.”

They urged political leaders and citizens to put the past behind them and work towards the collective good of the State, while pledging to support Rivers’ developmental trajectory under Fubara.

“All hearts and hands must therefore be joined together to put the past behind us and work towards the collective good of the state.

“We look forward to the State’s return to normalcy and the resumption of its developmental trajectory under the leadership of Governor Fubara and his team. PANDEF reiterates its commitment to supporting the government and people of Rivers State in their pursuit of progress and development,” the statement added.

Featured

RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans

Published

3 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.

Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.

He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”

The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.

Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.

He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.

“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.

“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.

The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.

He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.

The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“

“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.

She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.

Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,

expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.

“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”

He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.

The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.

The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State

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Rivers LG Poll: APC Wins 20 chairmanship seats, PDP Clears Three

Published

4 weeks ago

September 1, 2025

The Tide

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.

According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.

APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.

The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.

Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.

Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.

Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.

Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.

Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.

The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.

Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas

Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.

National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.

Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.

John Bibor & King Onunwor