Renaming of Charly Boy Bus Stop Irrelevant Amid Hunger — Peter Obi

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has described the recent renaming of Charly Boy Bus Stop in Lagos State as irrelevant, stressing that such actions are of little importance in the face of the country’s pressing socio-economic challenges.

Obi made this known in a viral video while reacting to the decision of the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to rename the popular Charly Boy Bus Stop to Olamide Baddo Bus Stop, in honour of the Nigerian music star.

The renaming, announced last week by the LCDA, has triggered widespread criticism from various quarters, with many Nigerians calling for the decision to be reversed.

Weighing in on the controversy during a conversation with entertainer Charly Boy, Obi stated that, as a public servant, he had always prioritised the welfare of the people over personal recognition.

“To me, it is totally irrelevant when you have millions of people who don’t know where their next meal will come from,” Obi said in the video.

The former Anambra State Governor also revealed that during his time in office, he never commissioned any project or allowed any public infrastructure to be named after him or his family, maintaining that the focus should remain on service delivery, not personal glorification.

“As governor, I refused to let streets, buildings or anything be named after me,” he explained. “I built a facility in a hospital and the proprietor said it should be named after me or my mother, but I said no. That’s why people say I didn’t do much publicity as governor.”

He continued, “Whatever I did was with public money, so I didn’t see the relevance of putting my name on them. Even when I become President, my name is not going to be in any of the facilities. All I want is for the facility to function.”

Obi’s comments have been praised by many as a demonstration of humility and a clear message on the need for prioritising the people’s needs over personal accolades.

The debate surrounding the renaming of public spaces continues, with critics accusing politicians and local authorities of misplaced priorities, especially in the face of worsening economic hardship.