The internet has erupted following allegations made against Rashidate Ayanwale, mother of Big Brother Naija Season 10 winner Imisi Ayanwale, accusing her of abandoning her daughter during childhood. A post by a social media user named MsAdaO claims that Imisi was thrown out of the house at age 12 and was exposed to trauma soon after. According to the accuser, Imisi’s childhood was marked by abuse, hardship, and even a pregnancy under dangerous circumstances, yet now her mother reappears in the public eye at Imisi’s moment of triumph.

Rashidate, however, has responded publicly to the swirling criticism. In a viral video, she expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their support, claiming she has been staying with her sister in Ajah. She denied intentionally neglecting her children, saying she was only informed late about her daughter’s Big Brother finale and arrival ceremony around 4 p.m. on that day, she said. Rashidate also appealed for empathy: “Let love lead instead of hate,” she urged, calling for people to refrain from tearing her down.

But that’s not the only angle fueling the controversy. In addition to personal abandonment claims, more sensational allegations have surfaced: some say Imisi once evicted her mother from a hotel, withholding promised transport money.  Meanwhile, other insiders suggest there’s a growing tension between Imisi and her mother, not just over the past, but involving current behavior and treatment. For context, another former housemate, Kaybobo, has also waded into the drama, accusing himself of being dragged into the family feud in a bid for clout.

Imisi herself has finally spoken out. She shared a calm video recorded on a movie set in response to her mother’s accusations, which her fans interpreted as measured but firm. In an earlier interview, she also voiced frustration at the never-ending questions about how she plans to use her ₦150 million BBNaija winnings, suggesting that she would seek professional financial advice before making big investments.

At its heart, this scandal isn’t just about family drama: it’s about the emotional complexity that rises when private trauma meets public fame. For many Nigerians watching, the big question is this, who truly “left who behind”? Imisi’s rise to stardom has brought joy, but it’s also forced painful history into the harsh glare of social media. If nothing else, the episode lays bare the messy, very human cost of broadcasting fractured family relationships in real time.