My love for Ike bigger than N60m prize money – Mercy Eke, BBNaija 2019 winner

It was a night of fun and huge excitement when Mercy Eke, the last woman standing in the just concluded Big Brother Naija reality show, emerged winner of the Season 4 edition, breaking the long time record of having men as winners. MUTIAT LAWORE spoke with the fair-complexioned lady on her plans for the whopping sum of N60 million she won and her future, among others.

How do you feel winning the coveted prize?

I feel overwhelmed at the moment.  I am equally short of words as regards how I was able to survive the 99 days in the Big Brother House. A lot of people think it’s an easy journey but believe me; putting up with individuals from different backgrounds was in no small measure challenging but in all, I feel blessed coming out top of all the housemates.

Did you see this coming in any way?

Never! But I was positive from the beginning of the show that I would emerge winner irrespective of the distractions that might come my way. I knew I could play myself out and I was determined to remain in the game for as long as it would take. I was strategic about my moves, knowing that there were other bundles of talents in the house despite the fact that I had already secured my place in the final when I bought myself immunity with my Bet9Ja coin.  At the end of it all, I am super thankful to the organisers for the platform and to millions of Nigerians, who took out time to vote for me.

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While in the house, you connected with fellow housemates but Ike what was your attraction. Why is this so when there are other cool dudes in the house?

Believe me sincerely, I had equal relationships with all the housemates because I am a realist; I like to be my real self at all times. It was while this was going on in the house that I noticed that Ike was making advances towards me, that was in the third week but I kept my cool. I was trying to unravel the different personalities of the guys in the house and what I realised was that Ike is just one crazy person like me, which made it easier for us to click.

There were accusations that you were clout-chasing Ike to remain in the game?

If you follow the game very well and noticed the day Ike and I clicked; you would realise that we had each other’s back at all times and even at a point when we had a misunderstanding, because we are mature people; we knew how to settle it amicably. I was never clout-chasing Ike, we both worked to remain in the game for this long and if you took note, you will agree with me that most of the time, we spoke about the winning prize and wished any of us would make it through.

During the game, you and Ike decided to get a treat with your Bet9ja coin but you ended up buying immunity for yourself alone; why?

Let me just say that it was a smart move from me, which was part of the game. Don’t forget that I had strong contenders in the house, who, even when put them up for eviction, scale through at all time; housemates like Tacha, Seyi, Mike among others and when Biggie explained to us what we could use our coins for, I thought it wise that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to secure my place to the final day.

Now that you emerged the winner, do you see the possibility of starting off a relationship with Ike?

If I am asked a thousand time, my response will still remain the same, which is that I went into the Big Brother House, as a single lady and right in the house, I met someone I could connect with. My love and admiration for Ike is way bigger than the N60 million prize money and I am ready to take it very seriously. Forget the fact that I have won the money now; money can’t buy love and I know what we feel for each other is genuine.

Talking about Tacha, you both had a disagreement and it led to her disqualification; how did you feel when that happened?

First of all, I was not happy at all when Tacha got disqualified because I had wished we both would get to the finals and remain the last females standing but we human beings sometimes allow our emotions get the better part of us. For me, I thought the two of us would be issued a strike but I believed Biggie had us in check and had reason for the verdict he came up with for us at the end of the day. When Biggie pronounced her disqualified, I felt a hit on my chest and was saddened about it.

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Aside from your encounter with her, how would you describe Tacha, as a person?

I swear down, Tacha is a sweet girl deep down and has a lot to share but what I feel is that most of the time, she allowed her emotions to overcome her. She is a bundle of talent and a good entrepreneur, going by her stories she shared with some of us in the house. When it comes to task presentation, Tacha was literally involved in all the activities to make her team win. I love Tacha; I look forward to working with her.

 What will you consider your lowest and highest moments in the Big Brother House?

My lowest moment in the house was when Ike was evicted in the 13th week after spending a total of 92 days in the BBNaija Pepper Dem House because it was my birthday and we already had plans of how we would both celebrate after the eviction process, only for the host of the show to announce that he had been evicted. I was shattered all through that night. On the other hand, my highest moment was definitely making history, as the first female to win the reality show.

Before the show, you were a video vixen, do you plan to continue doing this?

Video vixen was something I did way back before Big Brother. If it comes calling, I will do it but right now, I plan to be conscious of what to do on the screen now.

So, what exactly are you planning next for yourself?

First off, I want to take my step one after another so that I don’t absorb too much. I will be floating my clothing, line ‘M &M Luxury Beauty, soon where we will be catering for the female folks, who want to look good and don’t have to break the bank. I am also looking at real estate and some others that will be made public soon.

What is your biggest fear right now?

My biggest fear right now is failure. I don’t want to fail at any point in time. This is one responsibility that is currently huge on me, the stardom and fame that come with it is overwhelming.  I can only pray that God sees me through because I don’t want to disappoint millions of Nigerians, who voted for me and the platform at any point.