Nigerian comedian and actor Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has strongly criticized the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson, after a viral video showed her allegedly assaulting a man. The incident, which has since gained widespread attention on social media, has sparked outrage, with many calling for accountability.
Mr Macaroni was one of the first public figures to react to the video, condemning the commissioner’s actions in a series of tweets. In his posts, the comedian voiced his frustration over Benson’s behavior, stressing that Nigeria is not a dictatorship where public officials can act with impunity. He pointed out the severity of the situation, especially given Benson’s position as a government official.
“Dear Mrs Toke Benson, who do you think you are that you can’t be recorded?? Ok. Commissioner? And so what??” Mr Macaroni wrote, directly addressing the commissioner. His tweet highlighted the arrogance and sense of entitlement that he perceived in Benson’s actions, emphasizing that public servants should be held accountable, not treated like untouchable figures.
The video that sparked the controversy shows Benson involved in an altercation where she is seen assaulting a man. In the footage, Benson reportedly made threats to break the man’s phone and, in a show of aggression, attempted to carry out her threat. Mr Macaroni expressed disbelief at the commissioner’s attitude, stating, “You even have the temerity to ask ‘who is paying your salary?’ Is it your money?”
Mr Macaroni continued to criticize Benson’s actions, calling her behavior “outrageous” and inappropriate for a public official. “A public servant moving like a Dictator,” he said, suggesting that such actions were indicative of a wider problem in Nigeria’s political culture, where some officials treat citizens as subordinates rather than as equals.
The comedian also drew attention to the incident where another woman in the video allegedly asked, “Do you know who you are talking to?” This statement further fueled Mr Macaroni’s anger, prompting him to ask, “Who are you? Who is she? Who are all of you gangan??? My goodness!!!” He expressed his disbelief at the arrogance displayed by the individuals involved in the altercation.
Saying that such behavior has become commonplace among some Nigerian officials, Mr Macaroni questioned if holding a political office in the country turns people into “Lord and Master[s]” with the power to treat ordinary citizens as their slaves. “It seems once you hold a political office in Nigeria you become Lord and Master and all Citizens must become your slaves??” he wrote, calling out the sense of entitlement and the abuse of power he perceived in the video.
