The maiden edition of the Big Brother Titans reality TV show (BB Titans) took off on Sunday, the 15th of January 2023, promising to run for the next 72 days in South Africa. This year’s edition has raised eyebrows just like it has raised tempers, especially in Nigeria with many suggesting it is out to divide the attention of the youths from the February and March general elections. For this Jide Kene promises to block, mute or unfollow anyone who shares anything about the show.
But the greatest concern yet, is perhaps the belief of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council expressed through its Chief Spokesperson, Dr Yunusa Tanko on January 11, 2023, in Enugu State, Nigeria. Tanko queried why just a few months after the BBNaija version had ended, the BB Titans was ready to be aired. He insisted that the show was being sponsored by one of the major opposition parties to divert youths’ attention from changing the leadership of the country and that the “Big Titan or whatever they may call it will distract the youths from taking what belongs to them now”.
We may have said that Tanko’s belief undermines the ability of Nigerian youths to make rational decisions in critical times especially when the future of Nigeria was at stake but we can’t. Is this different from the ‘lazy Nigerian youths’ outburst? Well, BB Titans’ co-host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu who could be outspoken had come out way earlier to say that with the show or not “Nigerian youths are very capable of going out to vote and also coming back to watch whatever they want to watch”. At a glance, the youths may produce the hashtag #EbukaBelievesInUs! But again, can Ebuka be the Judge here? Difficult to say! Ebuka could simply be stating the fact or further promoting his brand but that is for our readers to judge.
We may do better with the Twitter user Chudé (@chude__) who said because BBNaija did not distract youth during the campaign season as earlier predicted in 2022, the BB Titans could also not distract youths from voting this year. Chudé however expressed concern over the disenfranchisement of over 20 housemates (now 24) who cannot vote because they are in the house. Well, we know not all 24 are housemates, but do you feel that is insignificant? Before you do, remember elections are based on the principle of compounding; one vote from one person and before you know millions of votes are cast.
A poll conducted on Twitter on January 12, 2023, by Legit.ng indicates that BB Titans is more likely a distraction than it is not. Of the 441 participants, 45.8% believed it was indeed a distraction while 45.6% said it was not – close, right? That means the views were highly contested. With only 441 participants, however, we doubt if the poll represents reality.
That said, divergent opinions continue to fly around social media platforms a week into the show, on the streets and at home. What do you think good reader? It’s your call now.
Wait! Before you go, listen to the Twitter user Ayekooto (@thebardogbamola) who says “…as you watch #BigBrotherTitans remember, it lasts for 72 days but if we fail to get our PVC, we will suffer for 4 years if the wrong candidates win the election.”
Peace!
Kator Tarkaa is a social commentator at Biografrica.
