Veteran entertainer and activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has fiercely criticised the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) for replacing the name of the ‘Charly Boy Bus Stop’ with ‘Baddo Bus Stop’ in honour of music star Olamide.
The name change was announced on Friday by Kolade David, chairman of the Bariga LCDA, as part of a broader initiative to rename several streets and landmarks after Nigerian celebrities and notable personalities. Others honoured include 9ice, Tony Tetuila, King Sunny Ade, and UK-based footballer Bukayo Saka.
But Charly Boy was quick to condemn the move, accusing authorities of trying to erase his legacy due to his long-standing activism.
Reacting in a post on X, the 75-year-old icon suggested that the change was a response to his decades of challenging authority and resisting oppression.
“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 in a mix of English and Pidgin.
“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 maintained that the original bus stop name was bestowed by the local community, not government officials, and argued that his impact goes far beyond physical locations.
“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 added.
“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.”
