Charles Oputa, the ace singer and activist, has launched a scathing critique against the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) for renaming the ‘Charly Boy Bus Stop’ to ‘Baddo Bus Stop’ as part of a recent street rebranding initiative.
Kolade David, the Bariga LCDA chairman, announced the changes on Friday, honouring Nigerian celebrities and prominent figures, including Olamide ‘Baddo’, 9ice, Tony Tetuila, Bukayo Saka, and King Sunny Ade.
However, the decision to replace Oputa’s name with ‘Baddo’ sparked immediate backlash, with the entertainer calling it an act of “legacy erasure.”
In an X post, Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, accused the government of targeting him due to his history of activism.
Charly Boy also claimed authorities were intimidated by his decades-long resistance against 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 mixture of Pidgin and English.
“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.”
The 75-year-old activist also argued that the original name was bestowed by the people, not politicians. He emphasised 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 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.”
