Veteran Nigerian musician and activist Charles Oputa (popularly known as Charly Boy) has advised Nigerians to take the upcoming 2027 general elections more seriously, as he was unperturbed by the recent renaming of the Charly Boy Bus Stop at Gbagada, Lagos.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, he stressed that recognition should go to anyone who had contributed meaningfully to the community.
The bus stop was recently renamed to Olamide Baddo Bus Stop, after music star Olamide, by the Bariga Local Council Development Area.
‘My sister, if you ask me nah who I go ask? I don’t know why they do the things they do, because it seems to be a little petty. A lot more petty because those are not the things we should be talking about right now.
‘Those are not priorities. Whether you name it Charly Boy or Olamide Baddo, or whatever, it’s neither here nor there.
‘It doesn’t matter. Anybody who has done something for their community can take the shine. It doesn’t really matter to me, ‘he said.
He explained that the bus stop was originally named after him because of his long-standing relationship with the Gbagada area.
‘Once upon a time, I lived around the bus stop, and that was why people who were in Gbagada at that time felt it was just the right thing to name a bus stop after me. Honestly, I contributed to that community. Both the military pensioner, the Okada riders, young persons and everybody. I gave scholarships to young people.
‘I remember the bus stop was named after my song was released in 1990. So it was around 1991-1992’, he added.
Instead of worrying about the renaming of the bus stop, the entertainer advised Nigerians to prioritise Nigeria’s political future, particularly as the 2027 general elections draw nearer.
He warned against supporting leaders who are focused only on rebuilding personal empires rather than addressing national challenges.
‘The 2027 general election is what we should be worrying about. Let’s face what is facing us 2027 election, how e go be? Will our votes count?’, he asked.
The entertainer stressed the need for a leader who is honest, people-centred, and ready to help the country become self-reliant.
‘One that is truthful, one that really shows that he has the interest of the masses at heart. One that is willing to do everything possible for us to be self-independent, to be self-productive, not to be consumers. One that has human sympathy, one that is not over-religious’, he explained.
