Veteran entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has explained why former President Olusegun Obasanjo referred to him as an “ashawo” during the London launch of his memoir, 999.
Obasanjo, who served as chief host of the September 29 event in London, was seen in a video jokingly describing Charly Boy with several names, including “thief,” “barawo,” “drug addict” and “ashawo.”
The video sparked reactions on social media, with some Nigerians questioning the former president’s use of the word “ashawo,” a Nigerian slang commonly associated with prostitution.
However, Charly Boy said Obasanjo was not accusing him of prostitution but was merely teasing him in line with their longstanding relationship.
In a post on X on Friday, the entertainer said Obasanjo had always been familiar with his unconventional lifestyle and the various names people had given him over the years.
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.”
Charly Boy said Obasanjo’s willingness to publicly tease him was also a sign of the affection between them.
“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,” he said.
He recalled that Obasanjo had also praised aspects of his life, particularly his commitment to his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, and later 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 described Charly Boy as a “jagajaga boy” while acknowledging his relationship with his late father.
The former president also wrote the foreword to 999 and hosted the Nigerian launch of the memoir before accompanying the project to London.
Charly Boy said he would therefore take Obasanjo’s latest description in the spirit in which it was intended.
“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, “Baba, I hear you. But I no agree with the ashawo part o!”
- 2027: INEC opens portal for ad hoc staff recruitment - October 2, 2026
- Police identify 27-year-old medical graduate killed by boyfriend - October 2, 2026
- Charly Boy explains why Obasanjo called him ‘ashawo’ - October 2, 2026
