Belief in Youth Power: Charly Boy Defends Right to Protest Amid Hardship

Veteran Nigerian music star Charles Oputa, known by his stage name Charly Boy, has expressed his readiness to join Nigerian youths in a nationwide protest against the prevailing hardship in the country.

In a chat with NIGERIA NEWS 247 on Monday, Charly Boy stated that he believes Nigerian youths have the power to reclaim their country from the wrong hands.

Nigerian youths, angered by the severe hardship they are facing, have vowed to protest nationwide from August 1 to August 10.

Many socio-political activists have been calling for a revolution in the country, insisting that some government policies responsible for the current economic situation must be reversed.

The planned protest has also been trending on X, a social media platform, with many users expressing divergent views on the matter.

Speaking about the planned protest, Charly Boy, who has championed several protests in the past, said he is currently observing the situation. He stated that when he sees that the youths are serious about their aim, “their father will be in the front.”

He said, “I am fully in support of whatever the young people will do to recover their stolen country. I have been a fan of the youths for so many decades. I’m in support of anything they can do to end this quagmire.

“Until that day, I will sit in my house watching. When they finally say enough is enough and they mean it, their father will be in the front. That time I will know that they are now serious. ‘I go know say their mumu don belefu’ them.

“We are all shopping from the same market. We are all feeling it. Do you think I’m happy with the situation? Do you think I’m happy with the environment? It is affecting me also.”

Addressing an alleged threat by the Nigeria Police, as contained in a leaked memo, Charly Boy asserted that the police lack the legal right to stop any protest.

He said, “The police can stop any protest. The only thing that can stop a protest is fear in the young people; that is the only hindrance. It is our civil right to protest. As long as we are doing it in a civil and non-violent way, it is very much allowed.

“One day, they will wake up in this country and regret all the stealing and oppressions that they have done.

“The Federal lawmakers who are collecting billions of naira while people are suffering—the young Nigerians know them. They know their addresses, they know their girlfriends, they know where the lawmakers travel to. When the heat starts, they will know.”

However, Charly Boy advised the intending protesters to remain peaceful and avoid any form of violence in their demonstration.

“As a father, I advise that the protest should be peaceful. There are many peaceful actions that can send powerful messages. Nobody needs to resort to violence.

“We see what is happening in Kenya; we can do better. I have always believed in the exceptional youths of this country. I know that the day they say enough is enough, it will be enough,” Charly Boy added.