Obasanjo’s ‘Ashawo’ Jab: Charly Boy Breaks Silence on London Encounter, Decodes Former President’s Playful Teasing

The social media landscape was recently set abuzz following a viral video capturing a playful encounter between former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and the legendary showbiz icon, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy. During the London launch of Obasanjo’s latest memoir titled 999, the former president, who served as the chief host of the September 29 event, jokingly referred to the veteran entertainer as an "ashawo"—a local Nigerian parlance often used to describe a highly mobile socialite or someone with fluid associations.

Reacting to the development, Charly Boy expressed immense delight rather than offense, decoding the former president's teasing as a sign of deep-seated affection, camaraderie, and mutual respect. According to reports and social media updates shared by the entertainer, the friendly jibe reflects the long-standing, informal relationship he shares with the octogenarian statesman, who has often shown a unique capacity to connect with pop culture figures.

Witnesses at the London event noted that the atmosphere was filled with laughter as Obasanjo, known for his sharp wit and disarming sense of humor, singled out Charly Boy in the crowd. The veteran musician, who has remained a prominent figure in Nigeria's socio-political activism and entertainment sectors for decades, welcomed the banter, describing the moment as one of the highlights of the high-profile literary gathering.