Nigerian skit maker and content creator, Debo Adebayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has said Nigerians are too relaxed despite the country’s suffering, corruption, and oppression.
Mr Macaroni, who has been outspoken on governance, police brutality and citizens’ rights, said he has not stopped speaking against the government or injustice because of threats, adding that threats have been a constant part of his activism since 2020.
He clarified that interviews he gave two to three years ago resurfaced online, with some reports prompting questions about his position on activism.
Macaroni said he was surprised that the old interviews were being circulated again and urged Nigerians to pay attention to the full context rather than headlines.
Writing on his Facebook page, he said, “Just to put it out there and clarify things for the last time. I haven’t stopped speaking about the government, injustice, or oppression because of threats. Threats have been a normal thing since 2020.
“What I said and still stand on is that I am tired of saying the same thing over and over again. 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.
“And all I’m saying is until we are all ready to take action, I will be cheering on from the sidelines.
“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. Lastly, most interviews of me you see now are from 2-3 years ago.
“I have no idea why they are bringing them up now but it doesn’t matter. I stand by all I have ever said. Just be careful that you don’t read only the headlines which are mostly false or misleading.
“I have shed some weight so you would know if it’s a recent interview. I remember body-shaming me was one of the tools APC slaves used to defend their Masters when they had no logical argument.”
Macaroni’s comments come against the background of his involvement in Nigeria’s #EndSARS movement and his arrest during the #OccupyLekkiTollgate protest in Lagos in February 2021.
On February 13, 2021, the comedian was arrested alongside other protesters at the Lekki tollgate while protesting the planned reopening of the facility.
Police had seized his phone while he was livestreaming the protest, after which he was taken away in a Black Maria.
The Lagos State Police Command later said 40 protesters, including Macaroni, had been arrested for alleged conspiracy, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and violation of COVID-19 protocols.
They were arraigned before a mobile court at Panti, Yaba, and granted bail the same day.
After his release, Mr Macaroni alleged that he and the other protesters were beaten and stripped at the Adeniji Adele Police Station.
He also said he sustained bruises during the incident and alleged that police officers threatened the protesters.
The allegations prompted the Lagos State Police Command to order an investigation into the reported maltreatment.
The then Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, condemned the treatment shown in videos of the arrested protesters, who were seen stripped and crowded inside a police vehicle.
The February 2021 incident came months after the October 2020 #EndSARS protests at the Lekki tollgate, where demonstrators had protested police brutality and other grievances.
Macaroni had participated in the wider movement before returning to the tollgate for the February 2021 protest.
