Why I stopped criticising govt — Mr Marcaroni

Nigerian actor and social commentator Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has explained why he stopped speaking publicly against the government as often as he used to.

He said he became tired of repeating the same concerns without seeing the change he wanted, while also facing backlash from Nigerians and threats over his activism.

Mr Macaroni spoke after Wazobia FM shared a video on Tuesday in which he discussed the threats he received during the #EndSARS protests.

However, in a series of posts on X on Wednesday, the skit maker clarified that the interview was recorded more than two years ago. He said the issues he raised in the interview were still relevant.

Explaining his decision to reduce his public criticism of government, Mr Macaroni said Nigerians often complain about problems but quickly move on without demanding change.

“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.

He also referred to a post he made in March 2026, when he criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration. According to him, that statement marked the point when he decided to take a break from political commentary.

He had described the administration as “the Most Useless Government in the history of Useless Governments.”

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Mr Macaroni said he was also concerned that a small number of politicians could continue to affect the lives of millions of Nigerians without enough resistance from citizens.

He said Nigerians must move away from what he described as a “survival mentality” and begin to demand conditions that allow people to succeed.

“then we are truly not ready,” he added.

Addressing people who have questioned his reduced political commentary, Mr Macaroni said his decision was not because he had stopped caring about the country.

He said he had faced persecution, criticism and threats since he began speaking against government, but that his main reason for stepping back was exhaustion from repeating the same arguments.

“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.”

Looking back at his experience during #EndSARS, Mr Macaroni said his activism also affected his relationship with some Nigerians. He said his efforts to speak for people sometimes resulted in him being portrayed as a troublemaker.

He recalled that some Nigerians he believed he was speaking for eventually 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.

The actor also said he had no interest in going into politics. However, he said the actions of some politicians had disappointed him, especially people he had admired while growing up.

According to him, some people he looked up to during his secondary school and university years went into politics and later damaged the legacies they had built.

Mr Macaroni also spoke about the personal risks he faced during the #EndSARS protests.

He said he continued speaking out despite receiving threats and despite the concerns of his family, who wanted him to leave the country for his safety.

“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 did not stop speaking out after the protests and also used his platforms during the 2023 election to encourage Nigerians to vote wisely.

Mr Macaroni said he publicly stated the candidate he intended to vote for but did not tell others to support the same candidate.

“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 his decision to state his preference attracted 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 events that followed the election also affected him and made him question what more he could say about 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.