Nigerian actor and social commentator Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has explained why he reduced his public criticism of the government, citing exhaustion from repeating the same concerns, backlash from Nigerians and threats linked to his activism.
Mr Macaroni spoke after Wazobia FM shared a video on Tuesday featuring an earlier interview in which he discussed threats he received during the #EndSARS protests. He later clarified on X that the interview was recorded more than two years ago, but maintained that the issues he raised remained relevant.
“Forget about the threats. My issue with us as Nigerians is how we move on quickly. We complain and move on. There is nothing I will say now that I haven’t already said hundred times over. Until we as a people are ready to fight for what is ours, saying the same thing over and over again is just TIRING,” he wrote.
In another post, the skit maker referred to a statement he made in March 2026 in which he strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying that period marked the point when he decided to take a break from political commentary.
He also expressed frustration over what he described as the lack of sustained public resistance to decisions by a small number of politicians that affect millions of Nigerians.
Mr Macaroni argued that Nigerians would need to move beyond what he described as a “survival mentality” and become more willing to demand an environment that allows people to succeed.
Addressing perceptions that he had withdrawn because of fear, he said the decision was also influenced by the pressure and hostility he experienced after speaking publicly about government policies.
“I have been persecuted and vilified since I started speaking up against Government. Threats are a usual occurrence. Please don’t mix things up. I am only tired of saying the same thing over and over again. When Nigerians are finally ready, I will be ready too! But till then, please let me continue enjoying my break by redefining myself and Art, which I love as dearly as I love Nigeria.”
The old Wazobia FM interview also captured Mr Macaroni discussing the difficulties that came with speaking publicly on issues affecting Nigerians.
He said his criticism sometimes resulted in him being portrayed as troublesome, while some of the citizens he believed he was speaking for turned against him.
“Nigeria is a very funny country. Nigerians are also very funny. And I say this with all seriousness, because I’m not so happy about how things have been. And you keep talking, and it seems like you are the troublesome person. It seems like na you be the—the same Nigerians that you speak for turn against you. They start to fight you,” he said.
Mr Macaroni also said he had no interest in entering politics and expressed concern about the effect of the political environment on people he once admired.
He recalled seeing people he looked up to during his secondary school and university years enter politics and, in his view, damage the reputations and legacies they had built.
Speaking about the period after the #EndSARS protests, he said he continued to speak publicly despite receiving threats and facing concerns from his family.
“So, you know, End SARS came at risk to my life, threats here and there, serious threats. My family, no time, they were every time calling me, crying, ‘Debo, please. Debo, please.’ Every—every blessed time, my mother. Every blessed time. It was so bad they wanted to fly me out of the country. I said, ‘For what? I’m not running anywhere,’” he said.
He said he remained publicly active during the 2023 election, encouraging Nigerians to vote wisely while also publicly stating the candidate he intended to support.
“And I didn’t—I didn’t go silent after End SARS. I still came out. I said, ‘We must vote wisely.’ I did series of videos, series of tweets, series of—and not only me, a lot of other people too did, saying, ‘Vote wisely. Do this, do that wisely.’ And I said, ‘Okay, this is the person me I will vote for.’ I did not say vote—everybody should go and vote for this person,” he said.
He said expressing his position during the election also exposed him to insults and abuse from some Nigerians.
“See curse, see insult. ‘You are a omo ale, you are this one, you are that one.’ Now, everybody—people vote. Whether, uh, rig, I no know, there no rig, e—e no concern me, but president dey, yes or no? E dey,” he said.
Mr Macaroni said the outcome of the election and the continuing political situation also contributed to his decision to step back from repeatedly commenting on government and political issues.
“Now, everything don dey as e be. Is affecting me too. But what—okay, okay, oya, what should I come and say again now?” he said.
