Why Obasanjo called me ‘ashawo’ — Charly Boy

Veteran Nigerian entertainer Charly Boy has responded to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s joking reference to him as an “ashawo” during the London launch of Charly Boy’s memoir, 999. The former president, who hosted the event, made several disparaging remarks about Charly Boy, including calling him a “thief,” “barawo,” “drug addict,” and “ashawo.” The video of Obasanjo’s remarks has since gone viral on social media, sparking questions and reactions from Nigerians.

In a post on X, Charly Boy clarified that Obasanjo’s remark was not meant to suggest that he was involved in prostitution. He described it as a reflection of their close and familiar relationship. Charly Boy wrote, “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 also noted that Obasanjo’s willingness to publicly tease him demonstrated the affection between them. Charly Boy 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 further recalled that Obasanjo had praised his character, particularly his loyalty to his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, and 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 also written the foreword to Charly Boy’s memoir and served as the chief host at the book’s launch in Nigeria.