Veteran entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has shed light on the “ashawo” remark made about him by former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the London presentation of his memoir, 999.
Obasanjo, who hosted the September 29 event, jokingly referred to Charly Boy by several names, including “thief,” “barawo,” “drug addict” and “ashawo” in a video that later surfaced online.
The remarks generated reactions on social media, with many people curious about the reason behind the former president’s use of the word “ashawo” while addressing the entertainer.
However, Charly Boy, in a Friday post on X, clarified that Obasanjo was not accusing him of prostitution, explaining that the comment was made in the spirit of 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.”
According to the entertainer, Obasanjo’s ability to publicly joke with him in such a manner was also an indication of the closeness they share.
He said, “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 Obasanjo’s previous comments about him, particularly the former president’s recognition of his support for his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, and later his mother.
He stated, “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.”
Obasanjo had previously described 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 and hosted the Nigerian launch of the book before taking part in the London presentation.
Reacting to the latest description, Charly Boy said he would take it in good faith as part of their relationship.
“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!”
