Hon. Emmanuel Godson Odiniya, the father of Big Brother Naija winner Ilebaye Odiniya, has broken his silence regarding the physical assault that left his daughter with visible injuries. In an emotional audio statement, the Kogi politician, who was arrested for the assault, clarified that his actions were not driven by hatred, emphasizing that Ilebaye has always been one of his favorite children.
Father’s Defense: Love and Frustration
“I want to set the record straight that what led to that was not that I don’t love my daughter. She was one of my best children,” Odiniya stated. He claimed that he ensured she attended the best schools and played a pivotal role in her journey on Big Brother Naija, particularly during her winning season in 2023. “When she told me she wanted to join Big Brother, I accepted it, and I began to work towards it,” he added.
Political Support for Ilebaye’s Victory
Odiniya asserted that he leveraged his political connections to mobilize votes for Ilebaye. “I contributed a lot using my relationship with Nigerians all over and outside to vote for my daughter massively; it’s well over 75%,” he claimed. He further alleged that governors, colleagues, and supporters from Kogi State donated money to buy IUC (votes) to keep her in the competition. “Even governors of some states and my colleagues donated money, which was used in buying the IUC,” he said.
Disappointment After Victory
The politician, who is reportedly receiving treatment in Abuja, expressed disappointment over what he described as a lack of gratitude after her win. “What I was expecting from her wasn’t coming,” he said, alleging that Ilebaye stopped listening to him and rarely gave him an audience despite repeated attempts to reach her. “I would book Ilebaye five to six times in a week; she would never give me audience,” he alleged.
Lifestyle and Spending Habits
Odiniya maintained that he acted out of frustration while trying to correct her. He claimed that after winning BBNaija, Ilebaye became difficult to advise and surrounded herself with certain friends. “I told her to give a public appreciation to those who supported us till she won BBN, but she refused. Her fans began to move backwards, and we were not getting support as we expected,” he said. He also expressed concern over her lifestyle, spending habits, and cosmetic procedures. “A child of 24/25, she went for surgery to beautify her face, her body, and her bum. Each time I talk to her, she will insult me. I still swallow the insult and continue to give her advice to the level she started looking at me as her number one enemy,” he alleged.
Financial Concerns
He further claimed that despite his advice to invest in projects that would help the less privileged, she ignored him and continued to spend lavishly. “The way she spends money… I told her several times, let us have a place that you can develop so that you can help the poor, the less privileged, but she won’t listen,” he added.
The audio statement has sparked widespread debate online, with many condemning the assault and others calling for understanding. The incident has once again highlighted the complexities of family dynamics in the spotlight of fame.
