Charly Boy Slams Lagos Council For Renaming Bus Stop After Olamide
Veteran singer and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has criticised the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) for renaming the ‘Charly Boy Bus Stop’ to ‘Baddo Bus Stop’ in honour of music star Olamide.
Kolade David, chairman of Bariga LCDA, announced the change on Friday as part of a rebranding initiative that also saw streets named after 9ice, Tony Tetuila, Bukayo Saka, and King Sunny Ade.
The move has sparked backlash from Charly Boy, who described it as an attempt at “legacy erasure”.
In an X post, the 75-year-old entertainer accused the authorities of targeting him for his decades of activism.
“Dem say dey don change the name of Charly Boy Bus Stop. Hmmm. Very interesting. But let me remind you of something simple,” he wrote.
“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!
“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.”
Charly Boy argued that the original name was given by the people and not politicians, stressing that his influence “transcends physical markers”.
“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 said.
“They may change the signboard. They may pretend not to remember. But let me remind them Area Fada no dey finish.
“He didn’t need to sing sweet songs to be accepted. He didn’t need to wear agbada to beg for titles. He’s a movement. He’s an institution. He’s a warning.
“So to all the small minds and timid hearts. 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.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
