Friends and associates of Big Brother Naija Season 10 housemate, Victory Okokon, have pushed back against allegations of misogyny, describing the criticism following his recent clash with fellow housemate, Thelma, as part of a “deliberate smear campaign.”
The controversy erupted after a heated exchange in the house, sparked by Thelma’s request for Victory to “stop sharing food.”
The situation escalated when Victory responded by calling her “very stupid” and later made a comment linking her motherhood to “lack of self-control.”
The remarks drew significant backlash on social media, with many viewers accusing him of pettiness and misogyny.
However, in a statement released on Thursday and signed by Ima Elijah, a communication representative speaking on behalf of Victory’s management team, his supporters insisted the incident was being misrepresented.
“This isn’t a story of a misogynist being exposed; it’s a story of a player being unjustly labelled,” the statement read.
The statement maintained that Victory’s comments during the altercation were not reflective of his views toward women but rather a response made in the heat of the moment within a game environment. “The accusation is a cruel misrepresentation of Victory’s character, particularly for a man who was raised by his grandmother, an experience that instilled in him a profound respect for women,” it added.
Victory’s team also pointed to his gameplay strategy, claiming that his role as an “intentional villain” in the house has made him an easy target for misinterpretation.
“He is a player willing to carry a heavy burden and be misunderstood, all for the sake of the game,” the statement partly read.
They further urged the public to reconsider their stance and view the incident within the broader context of a reality competition. “Look past the noise,” the team appealed, describing the backlash as a “vicious and unfair attack against a competitor who is proving to be a genuine threat.”
