Charly Boy Reacts To Obasanjo’s ‘Ashawo’ Remark

Veteran entertainer, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has reacted to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s description of him as an “ashawo” during the London launch of his memoir, 999.

Obasanjo, who hosted the September 29 event in London, was seen in a video playfully throwing several labels at the entertainer, including “thief,” “barawo,” “drug addict” and “ashawo.”

The video, which has circulated on social media, generated reactions from Nigerians, particularly over Obasanjo’s use of the word “ashawo” in describing Charly Boy.

However, reacting in a post on X on Friday, Charly Boy said the former president was not suggesting that he engaged in prostitution, but was merely teasing him in line with their longstanding relationship.

He wrote:

”So Baba called me ASHAWO? Una dey ask me why Baba call me ashawo. My people, relax. Baba no mean say I dey run ashawo business. Or like say I dey follow women like Hegoat.

“You know say when you live your life differently from everybody else, people go give you plenty names. No kin name people never call me. Some say I be jaga-jaga boy. Some say rebel. Some say mad man. Some even call me a tortoise, dat am too smart for my own good.

“Now Baba don add ashawo to the CV.”

The entertainer said Obasanjo’s decision to publicly tease him in such a manner reflected the familiarity and affection between them.

He added, “But make I tell you something. If Baba has reached the point where he can stand in public and dey call me like his stubborn son, that one sef na sign of love.”

Charly Boy also pointed to previous comments by the former president about qualities he admired in him, particularly his relationship with his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, and his mother.

“Because this same Baba wey dey call me all these names has also spoken about the things he respects about me, especially the way I stood by my father and later my mother,” he said.

Obasanjo has previously referred to Charly Boy as a “jagajaga boy” while speaking about the entertainer’s relationship with his late father.

The former president also wrote the foreword to Charly Boy’s memoir, 999, and served as the chief host at the book’s Nigerian launch before hosting the London edition.

Against the backdrop of their longstanding relationship, Charly Boy said he would take the latest description in good humour.

“So if Baba calls me ashawo boy today, no wahala bcos, it takes one to know one. I go just collect the title and continue my journey,” he said.

He added, “After all, na only person wey don enter your heart fit get enough confidence to disgrace you publicly.

“Baba, I hear you. But I no agree with the ashawo part o!”