Comedian Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has shed light on why he has refrained from commenting on political issues in Nigeria in recent times, citing concerns over public perception and the challenging nature of activism in the country.
Mr Macaroni gained widespread prominence following his active participation in the #EndSARS protest against police brutality in October 2020.
He continued to be vocal during the 2023 election cycle, advocating for political change and social justice. However, he has since become reticent about engaging in political discourse.
In a recent interview on Wazobia FM, Mr Macaroni expressed his disillusionment with the political landscape in Nigeria, revealing that he no longer feels compelled to speak out due to the backlash and threats he has faced as a result of his activism.
“To answer the question of being laid back, you notice that even celebrities don’t speak out much. Nigeria is a very funny country, and Nigerians are also very funny. I say this with all seriousness because I’m not happy about how things are going. You keep talking, and it seems like you’re the troublesome person. The same Nigerians that you speak for turn against you. They start to fight you,” Mr Macaroni explained.
He continued, “And you’re asking yourself, ‘I’m not looking for anything in this.’ I look at Nigeria, and I don’t think I want to get into the political space because it seems like the political space in Nigeria corrupts the very best of us.”