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Last week’s episode of the Nigerian Idol featured four performers: Bibi, Yeka, Naomi and Emmanuel. The show has since seen the exit of Zoe and Glory, respectively.

The theme was American Legends. The contestants got to perform twice. The second performance involved a dance routine and back up dancers.

In the first performances, Bibi showed why she may be a strong contender for the final prize. She sang a not-so popular song, ‘You Have A Friend In Me’ by legendary songwriter, Caroline King. The song, a classic ballad, initially did not sound like a choice she was comfortable with, but she managed to pull it off beautifully, making that performance one of the best of the night.

Speaking of bests, I watched the show accompanied by two friends and together we formed our own panel of judges. We decided we needed one when for the first time our views of the performances seemed to be clashing glaringly with those of the judges.

For example, it was highly disappointing to hear Audu Maikori tell Yeka that she had the best performance in the first act of the show.

Sorry, sir, but we “amateur” judges humbly beg to disagree. Her rendition of Stevie Wonder’s ‘I Just Called To Say I Love You’ was the worst the show had to offer amongst the eight performances. (I remember that she equally ruined Elton John’s ‘Daniel’. What has she got against classics?) One would think that by now the contestants would have had an handle on their performances and deliver like the professionals weeks of practice and singing in front of a live audience has turned them into.

But, Yeka unlike the other performers is still delivering her songs like a “contestant”- trying to impress us with the way too-high high notes and unnecessary rifts here and there. And doing all this with a remote connection to the song. We also did not like it when she kept playing with her dress, it was distracting. But judge Jeffrey Daniels did not think so. He praised her for “working the dress.” Sorry sirs but no, Yeka absolutely did not “werk” for us.

The judges proved even more disappointing when it came to judging the undisputed (right now) star of the show, Naomi. If anything, Naomi’s performance has been consistent – consistently good that is – and in this episode she did not disappoint. She completely owned her rendition of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’. She gave an R’n’B/Gospel touch up to the country song that totally ‘werked’ for us. In fact, it ‘werked’ for everybody except Audu Maikori who did not seem to like what she did with the song.

Still, she got the usual standing ovation after her two numbers, so much so that at the end of the end of the second performance where she sang Cher’s ‘Believe’, the judges had to implore the normally well-behaved studio audience to settle down so that they could deliver their verdict. Past guest judges have been thoroughly impressed with Naomi, and Banky W, this episode’s guest judge, was not left out. In his unabashed excitement, he helped the chaos by asking for two “gbosas” for Naomi, which the led to a chant of the petite singer’s name. But calm was soon restored.

At this stage one would think, in spite of the judges blind verdict, that a clear winner has already been declared. However, it would be safer to vote as many times as possible for your favourite contestant than make assumptions based on popular view.

Better contestants than some of the ones we have left on the show right now have been evicted as a result of poor voting from their fan base.

Also, it is not a unusual to see a mediocre act win a talent competition, especially one based on votes, over a person/people with better talent. So, in order not to have ourselves blaming the wrong people – like let’s say the judges – when this happens, it is better for we the viewers to do the right thing-vote!- so that the best man (or girl) can win fair and square.