Social media was abuzz over the weekend after news surfaced that the Bariga Local Council Development Association has renamed Charly Boy Bus Stop in Lagos. The bust stop now bears the name of popular rapper, Olamide Adedeji, and it is now called Olamide Baddo Bus Stop.

The drama began during the 2023 presidential electioneering when popular entertainer Charly Boy declared his support for the presidential ambition of Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State. He even led a five-million-man match to show his endorsement of the candidate ahead of the election. He didn't stop there, as he launched attacks against Obi's opponent, the former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, who went on to win the election. Even after the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal declared that Tinubu won the election convincingly, Charly Boy still found reasons to complain, saying he never expected justice from the court.

During the period of his antagonism towards Tinubu, many youths reminded him of the goodwill he had enjoyed in Lagos, especially during Tinubu's time as governor of the state. They reminded him that he has a bus stop named after him in the state.

Responding, Charly Boy shared a photo he took of the bus stop, which shows that it still bears his name, even after he moved away from the area years ago. According to him, he thought the bus stop would have been removed by those he referred to as foolish people.

He shared on X, "As I dey pass my old area today, Gbagada, I still see Charlyboy Bus Stop. I been think say dem wan remove am, I just dey laff mumu pple. Una like am like dis?"

Charly Boy didn't stop there, as he launched attacks on prominent Yoruba leaders, such as Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka.

He said, "The kin respect I had for dis man, was almost the kind of respect I had for the late Justice C.A. Oputa, The Socrates of the Supreme Court. It has finally dawned on me that Soyinka can never be the man Chinua Achebe was. The kogi is not ordinary, he should be very measured anytime he makes a public statement. Look at a man many Nigerians put on such high pedestal reducing himself to a boyiboyi for criminal politicians. What a f. king big shame."

This further angered Yoruba youths, who were growing tired of his attacks on leaders they held dear, while he turned a blind eye to the shortcomings of leaders from his Igbo ethnicity. They also expressed displeasure that he fraternises with a mob of Obi supporters, known as Obidients, who relish tearing anything that contradicts their favourite politician. Those events came before the Bariga LCDA announcement.

How Charly Boy Got a Bus Stop Named After Him

Many argue that Charly Boy Bus Stop never carried that name, nor did the Lagos State government authorise it. They said the real name was 1st and 2nd Pedro Bus Stop. However, the name allegedly changed as a result of Charly Boy's actions.

Dr Abraham Great, an X user with the handle @abrahamgreat, provided an insight that corroborated what many believed to be the process by which 2nd Pedro transitioned to Charly Boy before becoming Badoo Bus Stop.

"This is how that started! When we were young, Charly’s father was very prominent, and his banter with his father was national news. His rebellion came with the swagger of his Americana vibes and posture. It was like today's social media drill," Abraham said.

"Then he moved into that house and parked a big motorbike at a very conspicuous frontage of the house, which he allegedly leased. This was genius and strategic at the time. He caught the attention of Lagosians. He didn't name the Bus Stop 'Charly Boy'. He branded his name on the minds of the Lagosians by audaciously placing a Bike, his image and his name on everyone’s face. This was before big money on the billboards."

Abraham said millions of Nigerians saw the image, the name, and the bike daily, adding that "it was a brand strategy that worked without paying for ads. There was no serious enforcement of advertising rules at the time, but things have changed."

"I recall trekking several miles with my agemates from our house to see the bike. It was an attraction. You are talking billions yearly to sustain such advertisement in today’s Lagos and at such a prime location," he said.

"I am not sure Charly got the official credentials to own the Bus Stop. But I think the Lagos State government is reacting to the sad reality of how the last elections played out. They felt there were too many insults, and I think they also gave the same to others.

"Now, it seems, they are saying that everybody should “'ey their dey,' make Lagos dey him dey," he concluded.

How Charly Boy Reacted to Bariga LCDA's Announcement

A few hours after his name was stripped off the bus stop, Charly Boy alleged that it was an attempt to destroy his legacy and silence him.

He said, "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."

However, the LCDA revealed that the name change, which was also implemented at other bus stops and streets, was made to honour heroes.


ASA