Nigerian actor and social commentator Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has explained why he reduced his public criticism of government, saying he became tired of repeatedly raising the same concerns while facing backlash and threats over his activism.
Mr Macaroni spoke after Wazobia FM shared a video on Tuesday featuring an interview in which he discussed the personal consequences of speaking publicly about political and social issues. Although the interview was recorded more than two years ago, the actor said on Wednesday that the concerns he expressed in it still reflected his views.
He said one of the reasons for stepping back was the frustration of repeatedly discussing problems without seeing what he considered meaningful changes. According to him, Nigerians often express anger over difficult conditions but quickly move on to other issues.
“Forget about the threats. My issue with us as Nigerians is how we move on quickly,” he said in a post responding to the renewed attention surrounding the interview. He added that he had already made many of the arguments he could make and was tired of repeating them.
Mr Macaroni also referred to a statement he made in March 2026 in which he strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He said that period marked the point when he decided to take a break from sustained political commentary.
He maintained that his decision should not be interpreted as an abandonment of the issues he previously spoke about. Rather, he said he had become tired of what he described as repeatedly making the same arguments while receiving hostility from some of the people he believed he was advocating for.
The actor said he had faced threats and persecution since becoming publicly involved in political and social advocacy, particularly during the period surrounding the #EndSARS protests. He recalled that members of his family were concerned about his safety and that he continued to speak publicly despite those concerns.
During the interview, Mr Macaroni also reflected on his experience of becoming involved in public discussions about governance. He said speaking on behalf of citizens sometimes resulted in him being portrayed as troublesome, while some members of the public he sought to represent would subsequently turn against him.
He also explained why he had no interest in entering formal politics. According to him, he had watched people he once respected move into politics and, in his view, damage the reputations they had built before entering public office. He said those experiences had contributed to his reluctance to pursue a political career.
Mr Macaroni further criticised what he described as a tendency among Nigerians to accept difficult living conditions as normal. Using fuel prices as an example, he said citizens could express widespread anger over rising costs but eventually move on without sustained pressure for change.
He also questioned the popular expression that anyone capable of surviving in Nigeria could survive anywhere. In his view, the ability to endure difficult circumstances should not itself be treated as an achievement when the underlying conditions remain unresolved.
Despite reducing his political commentary, Mr Macaroni said he had not abandoned his broader interest in Nigeria or public issues. He said he was using his break to redefine himself and concentrate more on his artistic work.
His latest comments have therefore clarified that his reduced political commentary is, according to him, less about changing his concerns and more about stepping away from the exhaustion and personal pressure associated with repeatedly speaking on the same issues.
Mr Macaroni's experience also highlights the difficult position occupied by entertainers and other public figures who become involved in political and social commentary. While their platforms can give public issues wider visibility, their statements can also attract strong criticism from supporters and opponents of different political positions.
For now, the actor says he intends to continue his break from sustained political commentary. He added that when Nigerians are ready to demand what he considers meaningful change, he will also be ready to speak again.
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