As
the popular Nigeria's reality television show, Big Brother Naija, comes
to an end this weekend, a Nigerian journalist and writer has penned an
interesting and explosive piece on the politics surrounding the show.
Jealousy is the fear of comparison. – Max Frisch
The history of the world has been laced with jealousy. As a matter
of fact, jealousy brought us all to this world, else we would have been
in the Garden of Eden or even Heaven, singing praises to God every
morning. It was out of jealousy to be like God that made Lucifer
conspire with some Angels to cause war in heaven that eventually brought
him down. It was out of jealousy that the devil tempted Adam and Eve in
the Garden of Eden. To him, humans can’t enjoy heaven that he was
kicked out from.
This jealousy has not left us since then. To some; they hate to be
outshined. They can’t imagine another wearing a crown they once wore.
They don’t even want another to brace the limelight. They simply want to
be the only one that will be recognised.
This is exactly what is playing out in the ongoing Big Brother
Naija. The speculation that Big Brother already has a winner in mind is
becoming glaring. Viewers are beginning to see their partiality towards
one of the contestants, Tboss, even when its heavenly and earthy clear
that Nigerians and indeed Africa want another contestant, Efe, to win.
What is Uti Nwachukwu interest in all of this? Why is he
campaigning against Efe? Why is he desperately in support of Tboss, same
person that Biggie has shown favour to since the beginning of this
show?
One thing is clear. Uti is already envious! Having won the Big
Brother Africa edition in the past and long forgotten, another male is
coming to take over his space, which he didn’t even manage well in the
first place. Uti’s time in BBA was not as interesting and eventful as we
are watching in Efe. To Nigerians and the world, they have never seen a
real Housemate like Efe, who has not ‘formed’ one bit.
In Efe, we see the Nigerians on the street. In Efe, we see the rise
to fame and wealth of the current elites. In Efe, we see a guy who
despite there to win the award is also looking out for others. He is
loved not by Nigerians but even by his co-housemates, but yet hated by
Uti. Uti’s envy is that Efe will be the next big boy from Delta State,
where he also grew up and that obviously mean that he will no longer get
invitation especially from Sapele Big Boys and entertainment outfit,
when Efe is there.
Rather than support Efe based on the ‘Delta no dey carry last’
inborn attitude, his envy took him to Tboss, just to remain the only man
from across the Naija that went to BB and conquered.
Truth be said, Uti has offered nothing to Nigeria since he left Big
Brother, apart from wearing long Ankara and posing in pictures with
them; clothes that no real ‘guy man’ copies to sew. His claim to fame
can’t be said to be Big Brother since he almost faded until Africa Magic
came up with ‘Jara’ production. The only reason people watch Jara is
Helen Paul’s involvement. Remove Helen and Jara is a dry show like the
desert.
Uti should be made to understand that you can support a candidate
especially as a ‘celebrity’ that some persons see him as, but not to
denigrate another Housemate because of hidden and obvious envy. The only
reason people are interested in BB Naija is because Efe is still in the
House. If Efe was removed two weeks ago, even Biggie knows that they
will lose 65% of the viewers. Keeping Efe in the House is the only
reason we are competing seriously and sending credit cards for fans to
vote.
Uti can cry the entire river he wants. He can wail all he wishes.
He can give his support to anybody he chooses, but he is not allowed to
wish Efe his evil desires. Nigeria is crowning a new king soon and Efe
is the King. Uti should take his envy elsewhere and let Efe walk
majestically into his throne of honour. Based on logistics, everyone
loves Efe. Even Uti love Efe but hates to admit it. His own soul wants
Efe but his body and mind are dancing Tboss. We all love Tboss but
cannot leave majority to follow minority.
Based on logistics, Efe is going home with the money and Uti should
start accepting the obvious. If Efe wins, Delta wins; if Efe wins,
Warri wins; If Efe wins, Nigeria wins; If Efe wins, Africa wins. If Efe
wins, it simply means that the man on the street hustling to make ends
meet and aspiring to get his dreams come to pass will have hope that he
can also reach his aim, if Efe can make it, then we the hustlers can!
Based on logistics, if Uti was in the house, he would have also
lost to Efe. He knows within him that he is no match for Efe as it
stands. His popularity can’t be compared to Efe when he contested and
till this moment. Let’s assume that Efe is rigged out as planned by
Biggie which won’t be allowed to come; Efe has given us a sense of
belonging than all the years Uti was in Jara whose only reason for
selling is Helen Paul.
Based on logistics, Efe will have greater impact on Nigerians if he
wins the show than any other Housemates. Even those who have been
evicted agree that Efe is the only real person among them. They agree
that only Efe is living his normal life and not competing with anybody,
hence his massive acceptance by Nigerians and Africans. We cannot allow
such a person not to win, and not Uti with his high level of jealousy
can stop it.
Look into the mirror and you see Efe in you. Uti, this is for
you,”The envious die not once, but as oft as the envied win applause”(
Baltasar Gracian)
