Nigerian actor and social commentator Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has explained why he has reduced his public criticism of the government, saying he became tired of repeatedly raising the same concerns while facing backlash and threats.
The entertainer made the clarification after Wazobia FM shared a video on Tuesday featuring an earlier interview in which he discussed threats he received following his involvement in the #EndSARS protests.
Mr Macaroni said the interview was recorded more than two years ago but maintained that the issues he discussed remained relevant.
According to him, his decision to take a break from political commentary was not primarily because of the threats he had received, but because of the frustration of repeatedly making the same arguments without seeing the response he expected from Nigerians.
He said Nigerians often complain about problems before quickly moving on, leaving him with the feeling that he had little new to contribute after making similar points repeatedly.
The actor also referred to a March 2026 statement in which he sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over insecurity. At the time, he described the government in highly critical terms while reacting to deadly violence in Plateau State.
Mr Macaroni said that period marked the point when he decided to step back from repeatedly commenting on political issues.
He argued that a small group of politicians could continue making decisions affecting millions of Nigerians without what he considered sufficient public resistance.
The actor also said Nigerians would need to move beyond what he described as a “survival mentality” and demand conditions that allow people to succeed rather than simply focusing on getting through each day.
Addressing people who may have interpreted his reduced political commentary as fear, Mr Macaroni said he had faced persecution, criticism and threats since he began speaking publicly about government.
He stressed that the threats were not the main reason for his current break, saying he was instead tired of repeating the same messages.
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He added that he intended to use the period to redefine himself and focus more on his artistic work, which he said remains important to him.
Recalling the cost of his activism
The Wazobia FM interview brought renewed attention to the personal risks Mr Macaroni said he experienced after becoming involved in activism.
He recalled being portrayed as a troublesome person whenever he spoke about national issues and said some Nigerians eventually turned against him despite his belief that he was speaking on their behalf.
The entertainer said the experience became particularly difficult during the #EndSARS period, when he received threats that caused concern among members of his family.
According to him, his mother frequently contacted him because of fears for his safety, while his family at one point considered sending him out of the country.
Mr Macaroni said he rejected the idea of leaving Nigeria, maintaining that he did not intend to run away despite the threats.
His political involvement continued after EndSARS
He also recalled remaining politically vocal during the 2023 general election.
Rather than telling Nigerians who they should support, he said he encouraged people to vote wisely while also publicly stating the candidate he personally intended to support.
He said that position attracted insults and abuse from some people online.
Reflecting on the election and its aftermath, Mr Macaroni questioned what more he could repeatedly say after Nigerians had voted and the political outcome had been established.
The actor has also said he is not interested in pursuing a political career. In the resurfaced interview, he discussed how people he once admired from his school days entered politics and, in his view, damaged the reputations they had built.
His latest comments therefore point to a shift in emphasis rather than a complete withdrawal from public issues. For now, Mr Macaroni says he wants to spend his break developing his artistic identity while waiting until he believes Nigerians are ready to demand change more actively.