Veteran entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has explained former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s reference to him as an “ashawo”, saying the remark was a joke rooted in their long-standing relationship.
Obasanjo had described Charly Boy with several teasing labels, including “thief”, “barawo”, “drug addict” and “ashawo”, during the London launch of the entertainer’s memoir, 999, on September 29.
The remarks, which were captured on video and circulated on social media, generated questions over Obasanjo’s use of the word “ashawo”, a Nigerian slang commonly associated with prostitution.
Reacting in a post on X on Friday, Charly Boy said Obasanjo was not suggesting that he engaged in prostitution.
He wrote, “Baba no mean say I dey run ashawo business. Or like say I dey follow women like Hegoat.”
Charly Boy said he had been called several names over the years because of his unconventional lifestyle, including “jaga-jaga boy”, “rebel”, “mad man” and “tortoise”.
“Now Baba don add ashawo to the CV,” he joked.
The entertainer said Obasanjo’s decision to publicly tease him was also an indication of the affection between them.
“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.
Charly Boy also recalled that the former president had previously spoken positively about his relationship with his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, and his mother.
He said Obasanjo had acknowledged the way he stood by his parents, despite the former president’s playful references to him.
Obasanjo had previously described Charly Boy as a “jagajaga boy” while acknowledging his care for his late father.
The former president also wrote the foreword to 999 and served as the chief host at the Nigerian launch of the memoir before accompanying the project to London.
Charly Boy said he would therefore take the latest description in the spirit in which it was delivered.
“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, however, added jokingly, “Baba, I hear you. But I no agree with the Ashawo part o!”
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