Social media comedian and actor, Debo Adebayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has said that he was absent during the visit by a group of skit makers to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, because he was not happy with the country’s leaders. In a series of Twitter posts on Friday, he wrote, “First, I do not think there is an association of skit makers. If there is, then I don’t know anything about it. And that would be fine because I am an actor/thespian first before the tag ‘skit maker’.
“So I don’t think those that went to see the VP without me or anyone else meant to sideline me. I want to believe they were invited to see the VP by the organisers of an award ceremony the same way I was invited. The only difference is that I declined the invitation.
“The reason I declined is simple. As a citizen, I’m not happy with our leaders and I do not want to associate with them. It’s okay if others believe that sitting with the government will change certain things and decide to try it out. I don’t think they should be crucified for that.
“I have just seen too much to know that the government sees and hears everything. They and their workers are always on the Internet. They know what we cry and complain about and they do nothing about it. So, what will sitting down with them to tell them what they already know change?
He added, “When politicians say they want to engage me, I always tell them to pick a public place, where all members of the press will be present. So that I can say my mind as I see it. When they are begging for votes, they come to us publicly. So, why do you want to see me privately?’’
He maintained that his desire was for Nigeria to be a better nation for himself and other citizens. He wrote, “I am no hero or saint. I am not perfect. I am only a concerned citizen who wants a better nation for myself and for every other Nigerian. I use my voice, my craft and my platform to do this and I have been greatly persecuted for it.
“This is who I am. It is who I have always been, even before fame. I have suffered so much for it and sometimes I ask myself why I am the way I am. But anytime I remember how many lives I have been able to impact positively, I am at peace with myself.”
The delegation that visited Osinbajo went under the umbrella of the Nigeria Skits Industry Awards, led by its promoter, Bimbo Daramola. Other skit makers who went on the visit include Josh Alfred (Josh2funny), Maryam Apaokagi (Taaooma), Adebamiro Adeyanju (Mr Hyenana) and Adeyemi Elesho and Ayo Ajewole (Woli Agba).
