Popular Nigerian comedian Ayo Makun, widely known as AY, has found himself in hot water once again following a social media post about the tragic accident involving British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua. The incident, which occurred recently, claimed the lives of two of Joshua's close friends, sending shockwaves through the nation.
AY's Controversial Post and Subsequent Clarification
In the wake of the ghastly accident, AY took to his Instagram platform to share his thoughts. He posted videos featuring the friends who sadly lost their lives, using the moment to criticize the Nigerian government for what he described as a failure to provide adequate infrastructure. However, his approach did not sit well with many of his followers.
Faced with a wave of online criticism, AY made a follow-up post on December 31, 2025, to clarify his initial message. He emphasized that his intention was not to excuse reckless driving, acknowledging that personal accountability on the road is crucial. The comedian stated he was advocating for a broader systemic change.
"My post was not meant to excuse reckless driving, but to serve as a wake-up call," AY explained. He pointed to recurring issues like poor road conditions, inadequate lighting, weak law enforcement, and slow emergency responses as factors that often turn simple mistakes into fatal tragedies.
Fans Resume Dragging Comedian Online
Despite his clarification, fans were not pacified. They resumed dragging the comedian online, accusing him of being illogical and opportunistic. A significant point of contention was the condition of the road where the accident occurred, with many netizens insisting it was in good shape and that the primary cause was driver recklessness.
Critics argued that AY only spoke up because a high-profile figure like Anthony Joshua was involved. They challenged him to consistently advocate for road safety and accountability, rather than selectively commenting on celebrity-related incidents. Comments flooded his post, with fans tagging him with derogatory names and issuing stern warnings about his public statements.
Notable Fan Reactions Compiled
The backlash was swift and pointed. One user, @officialzeebrams, countered AY's infrastructure argument directly, stating: "The road was in good form yet you chose to as usual instead of mourn the dead turn it into your personal agenda."
Another user, @africansomma, highlighted a perceived bias: "When Dangote truck kill poor man nobody talk now e don reach rich man turn everybody dey talk. Every live matters. Let’s speak up for everyone equally."
User @buttylaw summed up the sentiment of hypocrisy, noting: "Noted and well said. But you only responded to this because of the name involved. If you do this road safety advocacy regularly on your platform, maybe roads would be better than they are, and AJ’s accident would be avoided."
The Core of the Controversy
The incident underscores a recurring tension in Nigerian public discourse: the balance between holding individuals responsible for their actions and demanding better governance and infrastructure. While AY aimed to spotlight systemic failures, his audience largely interpreted his timing and framing as insensitive to the immediate tragedy and the role of the driver's actions.
The online dragging session serves as a reminder of how quickly public opinion can turn against celebrities when their messages are perceived as tone-deaf or self-serving, especially in moments of collective grief.
