Nigerians too relaxed despite suffering — Mr Macaroni

By David Oluyide

Nigerian comedian and actor, Debo Adebayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has said Nigerians are too relaxed despite the level of suffering, corruption and oppression in the country.

Macaroni stated this in a Facebook post on Thursday while clarifying his recent decision to take a break from speaking publicly about government, injustice and oppression.

The actor, who said he had dedicated his art and public platform to speaking against societal ills since 2020, said he was tired of repeating himself without seeing collective action from Nigerians.

He wrote, “We are too relaxed for a country suffering so much. There is no reason whatsoever on earth for Nigerians to continue to accept the unconscionable level of corruption, oppression and inhumane treatment that has been inflicted on us all these years.”

Macaroni added that he would remain on the sidelines until Nigerians were prepared to take action.

“And all I’m saying is until we are all ready to take action, I will be cheering on from the sidelines,” he said.

The actor had earlier announced that he was taking a break from his longstanding advocacy on issues of governance and injustice.

He said, “This was the day I finally decided to take a break. Since 2020 I have dedicated my art and platform to speaking up against injustice, bad governance and societal ills.”

According to him, he had consistently spoken out, including during the 2023 elections, but had become exhausted from repeatedly making the same arguments.

“I remember all of it even during the 2023 Elections. There is nothing I will say now that I haven’t already said. And even though I know I can continue to do that, it just gets tiring,” he said.

Macaroni also questioned how politicians could continue to affect the lives of millions of Nigerians without significant resistance.

“How can a few politicians continue to ruin the lives of over 200 Million Nigerians and do it so brazenly without any resistance!” he asked.

He attributed part of the problem to what he described as a “survival mentality,” arguing that Nigerians must move beyond simply trying to survive.

“Until Nigerians get rid of the survival mentality which conditions us to automatically operate on survival mode instead of a sane and enabling environment that gives every Nigerian the opportunity to succeed, then we are truly not ready,” he said.

However, Macaroni clarified that his decision to step back was not due to threats, noting that threats had been a regular occurrence since 2020.

“I haven’t stopped speaking about the government, injustice or oppression because of threats. Threats have been a normal thing since 2020,” he said.

He also disclosed that he had gone through personal difficulties in recent years and was now focusing on recovering and finding peace and happiness.

“I have gone through so so much personally these last couple of years and I’m finally recovering and thankfully beginning to find some peace and happiness which I intend to enjoy as fully as I can without anyone’s permission,” he said.

Macaroni further urged the public to be cautious about old interviews resurfacing online, saying many of those currently circulating were recorded two or three years ago.

He said he stood by his previous statements but advised people not to rely solely on headlines, which he described as “mostly false or misleading.”

The actor said he would instead keep the public updated on his “journey of artistic redefinition” and other projects.