Martins Iyeh and Ijeoma “Mercedes” Emi have been evicted from the Big Brother Naija Season 11 house, becoming the first housemates to leave the reality show.
The duo were evicted during Sunday’s live show after emerging as the bottom two contestants in the first public vote of the “Show Ya Sef” season.
Martins polled 1.63 per cent of the votes, while Mercedes secured 2.29 per cent. Keivo, who received 2.92 per cent, survived the eviction.
Martins was announced as the first housemate to leave, followed by Mercedes, in the first double eviction of the season.
The eviction came two weeks after the season premiered on July 26, with 24 housemates entering the competition for a ₦160 million prize package, comprising ₦100 million in cash and an SUV.
The season, hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, is themed “Show Ya Sef”, with the tagline “Everything Is For The Taking”.
Martins, Mercedes Journey In The House
Martins, 30, is from Kogi State and entered the house as a visual storyteller, creative director and model.
A basketball enthusiast, he also identified mind-reading as one of his hidden talents.
At the start of the competition, Martins said he was in the house primarily “to have fun” and challenged viewers to vote him out if he failed to deliver.
His birthday celebration became one of his most notable moments in the house, with fellow housemates organising a gathering for him. Mercedes also performed a lap dance for him during the celebration, generating attention on social media.
Mercedes, whose full name is Ijeoma Emi, is a 26-year-old from Delta State. She is a massage therapist, performance artist, concierge business owner and entrepreneur.
She entered the house promising entertainment, authenticity, vulnerability and confidence, describing herself as bringing “boss energy”.
Mercedes quickly became a prominent figure in the house, particularly through her lively participation in social activities and her involvement in a heated disagreement with Oyin.
Week One Twist
The first week ended without an eviction after Biggie introduced “The Gambit”, a twist that guaranteed two housemates a place in the house until the finale but made them ineligible for the grand prize.
Flora and Aikou emerged as the female and male Gambits respectively.
The twist was among several changes introduced to the format as the housemates settled into the competition.
Chimsom Chuka won the first Head of House challenge, although another twist saw the HOH lounge assigned to Tram, who selected Sheba as her companion.
Week Two Intensifies
The competition became more strategic in the second week after Sheba, also known as Faith Gamde, won the Head of House challenge and became the first female HOH of the season.
Biggie also introduced “Conspiracy Hour”, allowing housemates to meet selected allies in a designated zone to discuss strategies and possible saves.
The nomination process was also changed, with housemates instructed to name three people they wanted to save rather than nominate for eviction.
Tram, Barry, Cassi, Goddessa and Bells initially emerged among those with the highest save votes.
Sheba later used her HOH power to remove Cassi’s safety and transfer the immunity to Chimsom Chuka.
With the Gambits already protected, the changes left a large pool of housemates vulnerable to the public vote, including Martins and Mercedes.
The week was also marked by arguments, social activities, romantic conversations, wager tasks and the formation of alliances as housemates sought to strengthen their positions.
Martins and Mercedes eviction marks the first exits from the “Show Ya Sef” house, leaving the remaining contestants to continue their pursuit of the ₦160 million prize.
