Photo: Ilebaye Odiniya, 2023 BBN All-Star winner
The father of former Big Brother Naija All Stars winner, Ilebaye Odiniya, has spoken publicly for the first time following the viral family altercation involving his daughter, claiming he was provoked before allegedly assaulting her during a confrontation at their residence in Abuja.
Emmanuel Odiniya, in a voice note reportedly shared on Facebook on Sunday by Kogi-based journalist Jeremiah Promise Enemona Ocheme and now circulating online, said the incident was not motivated by hatred for his daughter but by frustration over what he described as a drastic change in her behaviour after winning the reality television show.
According to him, Ilebaye remains one of his most cherished children, insisting that he had made significant sacrifices to support her journey on the show.
He claimed that during her stay in the Big Brother Naija house, he mobilised support and used his influence and connections, including reaching out to governors and other prominent individuals, to ensure she received massive votes that eventually led to her victory.
Emmanuel alleged that their relationship began to deteriorate after her emergence as a winner, claiming that the reality star became distant, disrespectful, and no longer gave him attention despite his efforts to manage her engagements.
He said he often arranged multiple appointments for her weekly but alleged she repeatedly ignored him and no longer regarded him as her father.
The father also expressed concern over what he described as his daughter’s lifestyle choices, particularly her alleged cosmetic procedures, saying he had advised her against undergoing cosmetic enhancements at a young age.
He further alleged that Ilebaye had physically attacked him on previous occasions, claiming that in one instance she struck him with an air-conditioner hanger, causing him to bleed.
Speaking on the latest confrontation, Emmanuel alleged that his daughter attacked him first before the situation escalated.
He claimed she insulted him, hit him with what he described as a hanger, pushed him, and later struck him with an electric lantern, leaving him injured.
Emmanuel also accused his daughter of neglecting him financially despite his health challenges.
According to him, he had sought financial assistance for medical treatment in the United Arab Emirates, specifically in Dubai, but she allegedly declined, claiming she had no money, despite later seeing videos of her spraying cash at a colleague’s wedding.
He also made further allegations, accusing his daughter of negatively influencing her younger brother and interfering in his marriage.
Despite the accusations, Emmanuel maintained that he still deeply loved his daughter and desired reconciliation, calling on Nigerians to pray for the family.
He added that the police had already intervened and helped settle the matter.
The incident became public after Ilebaye shared an emotional livestream video in which she was seen crying and calling for help, sparking concern among fans and followers online.
It was earlier reported that Ilebaye, her father, and her younger brothers were hospitalised following the confrontation.
Confirming the development, a spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, disclosed that all parties involved sustained injuries and were receiving medical treatment.
She also stated that the siblings were placed under police protective custody as investigations into the incident continued.
