Nigerian media personality Abisoye Olukoya Michael, popularly known as Oyemykke, has sparked a heated national debate by criticising the public's reaction to the tragic accident involving boxer Anthony Joshua.
Oyemykke's Viral Critique of Citizen Responsibility
In a video posted to his Instagram page on December 30, 2025, Oyemykke expressed frustration over how Nigerians often blame the government and the country itself following tragic incidents, while ignoring widespread individual lawlessness. His comments came just a day after the December 29, 2025 accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, where a vehicle carrying Anthony Joshua collided with a parked truck, resulting in the deaths of two of the boxer's friends and trainers.
Oyemykke specifically questioned the popular phrase "May Nigeria not happen to you," which trended online after the crash. He argued that the problem is not "Nigeria happening" to people, but Nigerians creating dangerous conditions through their own actions. "We demarket Nigeria with 'may Nigeria not happen to you,' but refuse to accept responsibility," he stated.
Everyday Lawlessness: From Parked Trucks to Red Lights
The influencer pointed to the truck parked by the roadside that Joshua's vehicle struck, asking rhetorically whether it was the government or a citizen who parked it there. He also shared a personal anecdote from Lagos, where he witnessed a driver speeding through a red traffic light, nearly causing an accident. He challenged viewers to consider if such reckless behaviour could also be blamed on the government.
Oyemykke further criticised the culture of excessive celebrity convoys, noting that some public figures move around with multiple security vehicles for mundane social outings. "A celebrity moves with eight convoys just to go clubbing with his Ferrari," he remarked, suggesting this reflects a deep-seated disregard for rules and order.
Netizens Debate: Citizen Behaviour vs. Governance Failure
The video triggered a flood of reactions from Nigerians online, sharply dividing opinion. Some users agreed with Oyemykke's emphasis on personal accountability. User @akinwale_cfi commented, "Thank you Oye. We say these things sometimes but some bad blood doesn't think we need to check mate ourselves but rather it's the government!!"
Others, however, firmly placed the blame on systemic failure and poor governance. User @lerrycryptos argued, "If your government provide good system, do you think people will not follow it... the government is corrupt, the citizens will be corrupted too." Another user, @Ajiboye11Tony, pointed out, "Whose job it is to implement the law? Lack of responsible and responsive governance is our problem."
Broader Context: Peter Obi's Call for Road Safety
Oyemykke's comments emerged alongside broader concerns about Nigeria's road safety crisis. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi had earlier expressed deep worry over the condition of Nigerian roads following Joshua's accident. He urged the federal government to prioritise infrastructure safety and maintenance to prevent future tragedies. The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) had preliminarily attributed the crash to a burst tyre and excessive speed.
Ultimately, Oyemykke's critique highlights a persistent national dilemma: the tension between individual responsibility and systemic failure. His argument that Nigerians "demarket" their own country by refusing to acknowledge their role in perpetuating lawlessness, while simultaneously blaming the state for every misfortune, has forced a uncomfortable but necessary conversation about the true roots of Nigeria's safety and developmental challenges.
