Entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has slammed the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) for renaming the popular Charly Boy Bus Stop after rapper Olamide.
The bus stop, located around the Gbagada-Bariga axis in Lagos, was renamed “Baddo Bus Stop” on Friday in honour of Olamide, who is popularly known as Baddo.
Reacting in a post shared via X (formerly Twitter), Charly Boy accused the local government of trying to erase his legacy.
He wrote:
“Dem say dey don chang the name of Charly Boy Bus Stop. Hmmm. Very interesting. But let me remind you of something simple:
“You can rename a place… but you can’t rename a legacy.
“You can replace the signboard… but you can’t erase the spirit.
“And you definitely can’t silence a voice that shook your tables for decades!”
The 74-year-old continued:
“This is not just about a bus stop. This is about fear. Fear of a boy who refused to bow. Fear of a man who challenged the oppressors. Fear of a man who didn’t beg the system to be accepted.
“So what do timid people do? They change the name like e go wash away their shame. Bariga, Gbagada, the entire Lagos knows the truth. That name Charly Boy Bus Stop was not given by politicians. It was named by the people, the same people Fada fought for, walked with, and empowered.”
He concluded:
“You may change the name… But you will NEVER kill the legacy.
“This name Charly Boy is carved into the history of Nigeria, written boldly in the streets of Bariga, etched into the minds of those who still dare to question authority.
“Legacy isn’t on a signboard. It’s in the hearts you changed, the voices you awakened, and the fear you planted in corrupt souls.
“So go ahead, change the name. But remember, You can’t change the truth. You can’t erase fire. Area Fada no dey finish.
“Still here. Still standing. Still fighting. His legacy? Will outlive yaall.”
Bariga LCDA chairman Kolade Alabi had during the commissioning of some community projects announced that several streets and spots in the area would be renamed after notable personalities including Olamide, King Sunny Ade, 9ice, Tony Tetuila and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka.
However, the move has been met with criticism, with human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) stating that the renaming was unconstitutional as no public hearing was held.
In a separate post, activist Omoyele Sowore also condemned the decision, describing it as an “act of cultural erasure” meant to silence dissenting voices like Charly Boy.
