Arguably the favourite couple in the Big brother Naija season 4 reality TV show, Mercy and Ike made headlines several times, due to their very interesting romantic relationship.
The pair were so loved by the public and their relationship was tagged by fans and shippers as the ‘MERIKE’ ship. Although they had their fights and major arguments during the show, a lot of fans still tipped them to have a very good and healthy relationship, with some going as far as believing they were going to get married, after the show.
WHO IS MERCY EKE?
The first-ever female winner of the Big Brother reality TV show, Mercy Eke is a Nigerian media personality, video vixen and actress and entrepreneur. The Imo state indigene, rose to fame through the Big Brother show, as she was highly loved by fans and was considered a very good favourite to win the show, before eventually winning it.
WHO IS IKE ONYEMA?
Ike ONYEMA, popularly known as Ike, was one of the most famous contestants in the Big brother and was co-housemates with mercy.
HOW DID THEY MEET?
The pair met each other, in the 4th edition of the reality show, tagged ‘Pepper dem’ and got to know each other very well quite at the early stages of the show. Although Ike left the show earlier than Mercy, they both shared a very strong bond.
MERCY AND IKE IN THE BIG BROTHER HOUSE.
The pair went on from being just friends, in the early stages of the show, to becoming the hottest and most shipped couple that season. Both housemates definitely gave several fans their highlights of the show, as they had a drama-filled time in the house, from their arguments to their open romantic scenes, to their under duvet moments. Both lovebirds seemed to be completely into one another, and both displayed publicly on several occasions, romantic affection for each other. Their love was something both of them were proud of, as they both spoke about it to other housemates, and during their diary sessions.
They, on one occasion, had a massive fight, after a Saturday night party. Prior to the fight, they were both about evictions, and mercy, who was also up for evictions, began to express anxiety and fear of being evicted, which led them to exchange words. The argument flared up quickly, with both of them throwing jabs at each other, with mercy telling Ike during the fight, that he came to the show because he failed in America, and ought to be worried as she was. The pair also threatened to end their then blossoming relationship, a threat that was void, as they both made up with each other, the following day during the Sunday night eviction show.
From that time till when Ike was evicted from the show, the pair didn’t seem to disagree on any ideas again, as they seemed just perfectly fine from the public perspective.
MERCY AND IKE OUTSIDE THE BIG BROTHER NAIJA HOUSE
Ike left the show earlier than Mercy, and went on various media rounds, while she was still on the show. Ike confirmed that what they both had for each other was true and they were ready to try things out outside of the house. However, a week later when the show ended, Mercy also confirmed the same idea, and this was good news to everyone, especially the Merike shippers. The pair kept on exploring things for a while, before starting their own reality show named ‘Mercy and Ike’. The show commenced on the 26th of April, 2020 after the first episode was released.
However, it came to a halt after a few months, as at that time there were speculations that the pair had already broken up.
MERIKE: WHAT WENT WRONG?
Ike has said while speaking to Vanguard that his relationship with Mercy Eke wasn’t ‘It’. He blamed the fans for their breakup. He stated that he had been in so many relationships but his relationship with Mercy was like a relationship with the public. He stated that everyone had an opinion about it. He said that social media brings a lot of bad vibes to people’s relationships.
Mercy on the other hand stated in a video she posted on social media that her relationship with Ike was a disaster.
LESSONS TO TAKE
Social media can be a really toxic place for your relationship. People talking here and there and making opinions you feel bad about. Some of these people are in worse situations and they are trying to make you feel bad about yourself. If you let them in then get ready for the repercussions.