Veteran singer and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy or Area Fada, has strongly criticised the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) for renaming the popular Charly Boy Bus Stop in Gbagada, Lagos, to Baddo Bus Stop.
The announcement was made on Friday by the Chairman of Bariga LCDA, Kolade David, as part of a wider street rebranding project aimed at honouring Nigerian public figures who have contributed to the country’s image and culture.
But the decision has sparked outrage from fans and Lagos residents, as well as from Charly Boy himself, who took to his X (formerly Twitter) page to slam the move.
“You can rename a place, but you can’t rename a legacy,” he declared.
The entertainer, known for his rebellious persona and social advocacy, described the renaming as a veiled attempt to erase his impact and silence his nonconformist voice.
“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.”
Charly Boy also pointed out that the iconic name was never conferred by government authorities but by the people of Bariga and Gbagada who had felt his influence and celebrated his contributions over the decades.
“That name Charly Boy Bus Stop was not given by politician. It was named by the people — the same people Fada fought for, walked with, and empowered.”
He concluded with a powerful message on legacy, asserting that no political rebranding can erase a lifetime of impact:
“Legacy isn’t on a signboard. It’s in the hearts you changed… So go ahead, change the name. But remember. You can’t change the truth. You can’t erase fire. Area Fada no dey finish.”
As of the time of this report, the council has not officially responded to the backlash, but the development has sparked fresh conversations about cultural recognition, grassroots influence, and political revisionism in Nigeria’s urban spaces.
