Popular artiste, Divine Ikubor, professionally known as Rema is recognised for his creative engagements with his fans; ranging from contests, challenges, to Meet-and-Greets with fans. However, some Nigerians are beginning to suspect a foul play in the outcomes of his competitions. 

Following the release of his latest song, Ginger Me, Rema took to social media to announce a contest for his female audience. He threw open an opportunity for one of his female fans to win a chance at going on a date with him. The only specification to qualify was for the contestants to tag “Ginger Me” in their stories, showing themselves listening to his latest song.

Late Tuesday, on unveiling the ‘lucky winner,’ his announcement was met with a loud outcry from Nigerians. 

 

Nigerians accused the singer of orchestrating the entire contest, stating that Rema has been in previous contact with his acclaimed winner. The lady named Nimie, with Twitter handle, @nimiie_  was revealed to have won an earlier contest from Rema in February.

Rema had initiated a Beamer Challenge ahead of the release of his song, Beamer and had sent complimentary teddy bears and cards to the winners. Nimie was shown from an earlier Instagram post to be one of the winners. Many also lay focus on the fact that Nimie just opened her Twitter account a few hours before the winner announcement and had very few tweets; pushing the claim that the contest was rigged from the start.

Omo, this stunt wey Rema pull dey funny me sha ??

Account that was opened like 4hrs ago won the #Gingerme pic.twitter.com/JXQXk1rfEv

— Bayo (@mr_adebayo5) June 23, 2020

Rema legit told his padi to join twitter 4 hours ago and announced her winner. Begs the question, all of you that submitted CV and passport, are you smelling? ????? pic.twitter.com/cMQEUMSM33

— H?‍♀️ (@Hoekage77) June 23, 2020

 

Some went as far as concluding that Rema had a trend of rigging his contests. Not too long ago, he threw open a challenge for his album art and asked his fans to submit their best cover art entries for the Alien Album; which he promised to use as his album art. 

Several people turned up and turned out; submitting jaw-dropping graphics for the competition. Sadly, many were not too pleased with Rema’s pick, with several people stating that the entry was not the best and Rema had been shady with his choice.  

Nigerians accused the Bad Commando crooner, of orchestrating most, if not all, his contests; pointing at the aforementioned instances to buttress their points. 

Rema knows his winners before the challenge begins.
Just like the artwork & this one lol.

— machaala jnr. (@kusssman) June 23, 2020

 

Some of Rema’s male fans jokingly commented on the subject, asserting that they had risked people questioning their sexuality by donning on wigs and makeup for the contest and yet Rema didn’t pick them. 

But wait sha, don’t you recognize your Male fans?? Na only girls dey stream your music?

— Duke of Ibadan ?️ (@AsiwajuLerry) June 23, 2020

Dear Rema,

Why hath thou made me a meat in the pot of my enemies?

I have laboured. I worked for that spot. Who be Nimie? Did she risk her sexuality to be with you? People called me geigh for your sake. E no pain me though but something isn't right.

And I will take legal steps

— Your Daddy (@ToyosiGodwin) June 23, 2020

 

Rema replied to the sweeping accusations stating that, even though Nimie had a new Twitter account, she had applied on the Instagram platform.

For anybody doubting Nimie’s authenticity ?? she won through instagram. pic.twitter.com/9tnlwE06EB

— REMA (@heisrema) June 23, 2020

 

A general consensus however amongst Nigerians is that they recognise the challenges, and contests are all for  promo. With many giving mighty praise to Rema’s publicity team, saying all the talk surrounding the challenges is giving nothing but publicity to his newest songs.

The Mavins team are brilliant marketers, used you all that replied and quoted with the hashtag to create massive publicity for Ginger Me.

Proper user generated content marketing in action.

— Iseunife The First (@Shawnifee) June 23, 2020

Hi Nimie, I’m taking you on a date get ready! ❤️? @nimiie_ #Gingerme pic.twitter.com/jIdOHrfHZ7

— REMA (@heisrema) June 23, 2020