by Rachel Ogbu

Underdog Abasiakan changed the game on Nigerian Idol last week just when it seemed that viewers might have settled on a winner.

On Sunday preferences began to sway in favour of Abasiakan who was referred to as the contestant with the most solid vocal performance.

The contestants were asked to pick music from the old school; honouring the late Luther Vandross with a highlife song and Abasiakan was absolutely ruthless with his Luther track, ‘I’d Rather’.

Not only did he deliver the song flawlessly, he handled the key changes like a pro, effortlessly switching between the notes and with buttery smooth transition. His version of Onyeka Onwenu’s ‘Hallelujah Chime’, while safe, was equally good.

Abasiakan was an unlikely winner in weeks that had passed because he has had a few problems with his performances previously, and guest judge, Dare Art Alade, told him that he needed to work on his connection with the crowd.

It seems he took the criticisms on board and Abasiakan may just have hit his stride, and just may swoop in to win the competition.