Nigerian actor and social commentator, Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has explained why he reduced his public criticism of the government, saying years of activism, threats to his life and attacks from fellow Nigerians left him tired of repeating the same message.
Mr Macaroni, who became one of the prominent voices during and after the #EndSARS protests, said his decision to take a break from political commentary was not because he had stopped caring about Nigeria.
He made the clarification while reacting to an old video shared by Wazobia FM on Tuesday, in which he spoke about the threats he received during the #EndSARS period.
In a series of posts on X on Wednesday, the actor noted 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.
Mr Macaroni recalled that he had consistently used his platform to speak on governance, elections and issues affecting Nigerians, particularly after the #EndSARS protests.
However, he said the backlash he received from many Nigerians, despite speaking on issues he believed affected the wider population, eventually became exhausting.
The actor also pointed to a post he made in March 2026, in which he strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying the incident marked the point when he decided to take a break from political commentary.
He said a small number of politicians had continued to make decisions that affected the lives of millions of Nigerians without sufficient resistance from citizens.
According to him, Nigerians must move beyond a “survival mentality” and demand an environment that allows people to thrive rather than merely survive.
Explaining his decision further, Mr Macaroni said his activism had come with persecution, criticism and threats.
“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,” he wrote.
In the earlier Wazobia FM interview, Mr Macaroni recalled the personal cost of his activism, particularly during the #EndSARS protests.
He said his decision to speak out often made him appear to be a troublesome person, while some of the Nigerians he sought to represent 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 the same Nigerians that you speak for has turn against you. They start to fight you,” he said.
The actor said the #EndSARS movement came with serious threats to his life, adding that his family became worried about his safety and at one point wanted him to leave the country.
“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 blessed time, my mother do call me.
“It was so bad they wanted to fly me out of the country. I said, ‘For what? I’m not running anywhere,’” he recalled.
Despite the threats, Mr Macaroni said he continued to speak on political issues and remained active during the 2023 general election.
He said he encouraged Nigerians to vote wisely and also publicly stated the candidate he intended to support, while making it clear that he was not directing everyone to vote for the same person.
“And 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 post on social media 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 for someone, I didn’t say everybody should go and vote for this person,” he said.
He said his political position attracted insults and abuse from some Nigerians, further contributing to his frustration with public commentary.
Mr Macaroni also said he had no interest in becoming a politician, while expressing disappointment over the conduct of some people he once admired before they entered politics.
According to him, some individuals he looked up to during his secondary school and university years went into politics and, in his view, damaged the legacies they had built.
Reflecting on his decision to step back, the actor said the outcome of the 2023 election and the subsequent political developments also left him questioning what more he could say.
“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 stressed that his break from political criticism should not be interpreted as indifference to Nigeria, saying he would be ready to speak again when he believes Nigerians are prepared to demand change.