By Charles Pemu 
Veteran musician and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has sharply criticised the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) for removing his name from a well-known bus stop in Lagos and replacing it with that of rap icon Olamide.
The bus stop, formerly called Charly Boy Bus Stop, was renamed Baddo Bus Stop—a nod to Olamide’s popular alias—as part of a street-naming campaign spearheaded by LCDA chairman Kolade David. The initiative, announced on Friday, also honoured other entertainment figures such as 9ice, Tony Tetuila, King Sunny Ade, and footballer Bukayo Saka.
But the move has sparked backlash from Charly Boy, who denounced it as a “politically motivated attempt” to erase his legacy and silence his decades-long record of activism.
In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), the 75-year-old cultural icon declared:
“You can rename a place… but you can’t rename a legacy. You can replace the signboard… but you can’t erase the spirit.”
Charly Boy, known for his bold, unconventional persona and fearless commentary on national issues, said the name change was not just an administrative decision but a deliberate reaction to his refusal to conform to political expectations.
“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 wrote.
He reminded the public that the name “Charly Boy Bus Stop” was not bestowed by politicians or governments, but by the people of Bariga and Gbagada—ordinary citizens who had embraced his influence and activism long before formal recognitions existed.
“That name was not given by politicians. It was named by the people — the same people Fada fought for, walked with, and empowered,” he noted, referring to himself by his popular moniker Area Fada.
The controversial rebranding has triggered mixed reactions online. While some applauded the decision to honour Olamide, a Bariga-born artist with global fame, others described the removal of Charly Boy’s name as disrespectful and politically petty.
Charly Boy, unfazed by the change, ended his statement with defiance:
“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… You can’t erase fire. Area Fada no dey finish. Still here. Still standing. Still fighting.”
As debate continues, the incident has sparked larger questions about how public spaces should reflect Nigeria’s cultural and activist history—especially when driven by populism or politics.