- Big Brother Naija housemate, Tjay made some comments about some housemates of Igbo descent
- Ebuka called him for it out on the Sunday Live eviction show, he apologised after the show
- Some Nigerians drag him for the comments, others defend him
Big Brother Naija's housemate and one of the Beta pair, Tjay, has faced some backlash on social media over some tribalistic comments he made during the third week of the ongoing reality TV show.
Tjay made these comments during a conversation with his partner, Ben in the garden on Thursday, August 16. They were discussing how they would strategically canvass for votes and emerge as the Heads of House for the fourth week when Tjay mentioned that the Mbadiwe Twins and Chekas were in some sort of alliance and that they are Igbo. He said: “After them Nne, them go come corner those girls, come dey talk brother sister, all those Igbo things. Them dey always use am hold those girls down.”
When this conversation aired, it stirred some anger in netizens, particularly fans of Igbo descent. Many of them called for the show’s host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, to address the matter as tribalism should not make its way into the show. Some fans, however, did not see the need for that because according to them, the statement wasn’t tribalistic in any way.
On Sunday, August 18, Ebuka addressed the matter and called out Tjay who is a medical doctor and has been playing the role of the house’s therapist since the show started.
Ebuka asked “A few days ago, you had quite a bit to say to your partner. First off, it was very weird that you went tribal, you talked about the Mbadiwe Twins and Chekas and some of the other guys being in an Igbo alliance, which was a little weird.”
Tjay responded: “I have been having a suspicion because they were very close to the Ndi Nne and their closest alliances are of the Igbo tribe. It is just a suspicion I had.”
He and his partner, Ben also apologised to the entire house after the eviction show.
The doctor’s explanation and apology did not sit well with viewers and they went on to bash him on social media. Some fans said Ben’s apology was more remorseful and heartfelt than Tjay who made the tribalistic comments.
Nigerians react to Tjay’s apology and explanation
Some Nigerians thought Tjay’s apology was not sincere and that he was not remorseful enough. Some netizens also believe that the reality TV show is biased because the majority of the housemates are either Igbo or from the Southern part of the country, with only a few Yorubas and a couple of Hausas.
Here are some of the comments:
@Baraksupremo posted: “If he said this Igbo connection thing 2 years ago people won’t make it this deep but I guess he’s a victim of Nigeria’s political climate.”
@Fswglory posted: “Tjay has been explaining and apologising since last night. Would it make a difference, though? Fact is, Ebuka has stripped him off his "in-house therapist, good doctor, father figure" cloak. His true form is now bare for the housemates to see. Will his pair escape nominations tonight?”
@_callmebekky posted: “There is nothing wrong in what Ben said .. Ebuka made it look bad , I watched the conversation between Tjay and Ben. They were only talking about the game and how they need to form alliances in the house. It wasn't from a bad place.. Having 16 Igbos and 3 Yorubas tell me how the game is fair to them .. Bbn show has been rigged, no equality or fairness on this show!!!!!”
@EjikeIzu posted: “Those are sour loosers. Lol. Ndinne were evicted desipte them being Igbos?
Do Chekas and Mbadiwe twins stop him from not forming Yoruba alliance? That means they did not save Ndinne cos they were Igbos?”
@NgoziIbe587385 posted: “To say the least, Chekas are not the only Ibo in that house, they just connected to themselves which is not a crime. Which one is Tjay capping. TJ and Ben are haters and jealous. God will not allow them to win that custodian.”
@nnenenwa posted: “He will come back home to continue his tribalistic stupidity”
@Benny_ODHOMI posted: “The conversation wasn't about denigrating the Igbos. The reference he made about the Mbadiwres influencing the Chekas based on ethnic affinity is the reality of our everyday experience in Nigeria. People tend to lean towards u based on ethnicity and religion.”
@Boywonderhere posted: “I won't be surprised if this guy is Yoruba. Igbo hate is in their DNA.”
@_callmebekky posted: “@BBNaija You already evict the two Yoruba pairs Toyosi/ Damilola.
The only Yoruba guy in the house (Tjay) you have successful create a narrative in the house 🏠 I’m sure if it was an Igbo guy who made that comment @Ebuka will not ask that question. You have done well okay 👏 😂😂 The 18 Igbos contestant can carry on with the show 😂😂😂 .”
@iamDo2dtun posted: “What Tjay said is what so many can say. The tribal card seems normal to people but this now shows how bad it is. It just showed the level of decay. He is not different from so many of you guys. Whats just sad is his was caught on camera.”
BBNaija Season 9 Update: Streeze, Flourish evicted in double eviction
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Streeze and Flourish pairs were evicted from the Big Brother Naija “No Loose Guard” house.
Streeze (Toby Forge and Mayor Frosh) and Flourish (Rhuthee and Dj Flo) were among the bottom four pairs and were evicted through votes by their fellow housemates.