- Safiu Kehinde
Popular Nigerian social media influencer, Isaac Fayose, has faulted the Lagos State government’s recent renaming of streets and landmark areas, including a bus stop named after veteran entertainer and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, at Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state.
NPO Reported that the outgoing chairman of the LCDA, Kolade David, had yesterday announced the change during the inauguration of newly renamed roads and landmarks within the council area.
Charly Boy bus stop which was among the affected landmark areas in the council was renamed, Badoo bus stop, after popular Nigerian rapper, Olamide.
Alabi claimed that the renaming initiative aims to honour notable individuals who have contributed to the growth and image of the Bariga community.
Reacting to the development in a post on his Instagram handle hours after the change, Fayose asked the LCDA Chairman if the renaming of the bus stop will reduce the cost of transportation within the area council.
He further questioned the chairman on whether the change of name will relief the poor masses or douse the economic hardship in the country.
Fayose accused the LCDA of tribalism and ethnic bias while maintaining that the change of name will be of no impact as the bus stop will still be known to commuters as Charly Boy bus stop.
He also held that the development will not stop the 2023 Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from winning at the council again by 2027.
“Politicians they will look for a way to divide us through tribal and ethnic.. they sha want to divide us. Changing the bus stop name to Olamide Badoo now, does that make all the conductors there stop collecting money?
“Does that make their lives better in Gbagada? Does that make their transport cheaper? They sha want to divide us. We can’t stop.
“The tsunami is coming in 2027 that Obi will in win Gbagada under your watchful eyes. It doesn’t stop anything.
“Some people write their name on the wall while some people write their name on people’s hearts.
“You cannot take Charly Boy’s bus stop from people’s mouth. You just change the name. You just put paint. Lord knows how much was paid to the contractor. What a nation!
“Does that change the fact that there is poverty in the land? Does that change the fact that people are hungry? Does that change the fact that people are angry?
“Later now una go soon dey change name of buses.
“Charly Boy bus stop remains Charly Boy bus stop in people’s heart.” He said.
Meanwhile several other streets across the council were renamed in honour ofmusic legends, political leaders, and rising stars in sports.
The new street names are as follows:
Ilaje Road renamed to King Sunny Ade Road
Bariga Road renamed to Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way
Community Road, Akoka renamed to Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Road
Ajidagan Street renamed to Olamide Adedeji (Baddo) Street
Charly Boy Bus Stop renamed to Baddo Bus Stop
Ifeanyi Street renamed to Abolore Akande (9ice) Street
Ayodele Street, Ladi-Lak renamed to Tony Tetuila Street
Ilojo Crescent, Obanikoro renamed to Bukayo Saka Street