Social media comedian and actor, Debo Adebayo, aka Mr Macaroni, has explained that he shunned Vice-President Yomi Osinbajo’s invitation to skit makers.
A crop of entertainers under the umbrella Nigeria Skit Makers Award including Josh Alfred (Josh2funny), Maryam Apaokagi (Taaooma), Adebamiro Adeyanju (Mr Hyenana) and Adeyemi Elesho and Ayo Ajewole (Woli Agba) were on Wednesday guests of Osinbajo in Abuja.
Macaroni in a series of tweets, gave reasons for staying out of the visit.
The whole tweets: “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?
“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?’’
“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.”
