Charly Boy reacts to Obasanjo's 'ashawo' joke

Veteran entertainer Charles Oputa, known as Charly Boy, has responded after former President Olusegun Obasanjo jokingly called him an "ashawo" during the launch of his memoir, 999, in London.

Obasanjo was the chief host at the event on September 29. A video showed him making fun of Charly Boy, calling him a "thief," "barawo," "drug addict," and "ashawo."

The video went viral on social media, raising questions among Nigerians about why Obasanjo called Charly Boy an "ashawo."

In a post on X, Charly Boy explained that Obasanjo did not mean he was involved in prostitution. He described the comment as part of their close friendship.

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."

Charly Boy added, "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."

He continued, "Now Baba don add ashawo to the CV."

Charly Boy said Obasanjo teasing him in public shows their affection for each other.

He stated, "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."

The entertainer reflected on Obasanjo's past comments about things he admired in him, especially his bond 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 praised Charly Boy, even calling him a "jagajaga boy" and acknowledging how much he cared for his late father.

The former president also wrote the foreword for Charly Boy's memoir, 999, and was the chief host at its Nigerian launch before heading to London.

Charly Boy concluded that he would take this latest title as part of their long friendship.

"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!"