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 repeatedly raising the same concerns, backlash from Nigerians and threats to his life.
Mr Macaroni spoke in a series of posts on X on Wednesday while reacting to a video shared by Wazobia FM featuring an earlier interview in which he discussed threats he received following his involvement in the #EndSARS protests.
He clarified that the interview was recorded more than two years ago but said the issues he raised at the time 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,” he wrote.
According to him, repeatedly speaking about the same problems without seeing collective action had become tiring.
“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 added.
Mr Macaroni also referred to a statement he made in March 2026 in which he criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration in strong terms.
He said that period marked the point at which he decided to take a break from political commentary.
The actor expressed frustration that what he described as a small number of politicians could continue to affect the lives of more than 200 million Nigerians without sufficient resistance from citizens.
He argued that Nigerians needed to move beyond what he called a “survival mentality” and demand an environment that allowed people to thrive.
Mr Macaroni further addressed perceptions that he had stopped speaking about governance because he was no longer concerned about the country.
“I have been persecuted and vilified since I started speaking up against Government. Threats are a usual occurrence,” he said.
“Please don’t mix things up. I am only tired of saying the same thing over and over again.”
He added that he remained willing to speak when Nigerians were ready to demand change, but wanted to use his current break to focus on himself and his artistic work.
“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,” he said.
The Wazobia FM interview also captured Mr Macaroni discussing the personal consequences of his activism, particularly during the #EndSARS protests.
He said speaking out frequently made him appear to be a troublesome person, while some of the Nigerians whose interests he believed he was defending also turned against him.
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“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,” he said.
“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.”
The actor said his activism during the #EndSARS period came with serious threats to his safety and caused concern within his family.
He recalled that his mother repeatedly pleaded with him to stop and that his family at one point considered sending him out of 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,” he said.
He added that despite the threats, he refused to leave Nigeria.
“It was so bad they wanted to fly me out of the country. I said, ‘For what? I’m not running anywhere,’” he said.
Mr Macaroni said he remained politically vocal after the protests and also participated in public discussions ahead of the 2023 general election.
He said he encouraged Nigerians to vote wisely and disclosed the candidate he intended to support, while stressing that he did not instruct others to vote for the same candidate.
“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.
According to him, his political position attracted insults and abuse from some Nigerians.
“See curse, see insult. ‘You are a omo ale, you are this one, you are that one,’” he recalled.
He said the eventual outcome of the election further contributed to his feeling that there was little more he could add to the political conversation at the time.
“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.
Mr Macaroni also reiterated that he had no interest in becoming a politician, despite his sustained involvement in civic and political conversations.
He expressed concern about the political system and recalled seeing people he admired from his school days enter politics and, in his view, damage the legacies they had previously built.
His latest comments come as he continues to focus on his acting, comedy and other creative pursuits while maintaining that his decision to reduce political commentary does not mean he has stopped caring about Nigeria.