LAGOS, Nigeria — Veteran entertainer and activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has fiercely 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 Adedeji.
The decision was announced on Friday, July 25, 2025, by Bariga LCDA chairman Kolade David as part of a wider street rebranding initiative that included renaming landmarks after prominent Nigerian figures such as 9ice, Tony Tetuila, Bukayo Saka, and King Sunny Ade.
But the removal of Charly Boy’s name has triggered a wave of backlash, with the 75-year-old icon accusing authorities of attempting to erase his legacy because of his long-standing activism.
In a post shared via X, the singer-turned-activist 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!”
Oputa, affectionately known by fans as Area Fada, described the move as an act driven by fear — fear, he said, of a man who challenged authority and refused to conform.
“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.”
He emphasised that the Charly Boy Bus Stop was named organically by the people, not politicians, a recognition of his impact on the local community.
“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.”
Charly Boy, who has spent decades championing human rights and protesting corruption, stressed that his legacy transcends physical signposts.
“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,” he declared.
The Bariga LCDA has yet to respond to the backlash or clarify whether public consultation was carried out before the renaming exercise.
Meanwhile, the controversy has reignited conversations about erasure, historical memory, and the role of political authorities in shaping cultural landmarks.
“Legacy isn’t on a signboard,” Charly Boy concluded. “It’s in the hearts you changed, the voices you awakened, and the fear you planted in corrupt souls… Area Fada no dey finish.”
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… pic.twitter.com/aCCwp9zXsF— Charly Boy Area Fada 1 (@AreaFada1) July 26, 2025
