Charles Oputa, widely recognized as Charly Boy, the renowned entertainer and activist, recently recounted a memorable encounter with Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, involving an unexpected gift-a “Ghana Must Go” bag, but not in the usual sense.
In a Facebook post titled “The Day Peter Obi Surprised Me With Ghana Must Go,” Charly Boy shared that Obi called him around 1 a.m., asking if he could visit early the next morning.
Obi reportedly said, “My senior brother, I want to come see you, but I’m not sure if you'll be awake at the time I plan to arrive.” Curious, Charly Boy asked, “What time are you thinking?” Obi replied, “Maybe around 5:30 or 6.”
Charly Boy was initially hesitant, wondering if this would disrupt his morning routine and scooter ride, but he agreed without hesitation, saying, “Anything for my Presido.” True to his word, Obi arrived promptly at 5:45 a.m., showing no trace of the typical African time delay.
The visit extended for nearly two hours, covering topics from politics and Nigeria’s future to personal family matters. However, what truly surprised Charly Boy was the sizable “Ghana Must Go” bag Obi brought with him.
“When I came downstairs to greet him, I noticed a large Ghana Must Go bag by the entrance of my living room. I stared at it, wondering what could possibly be inside,” he recalled.
Obi handed over the bag as a gift, and though Charly Boy thanked him, he didn’t open it immediately. After Obi left, curiosity got the better of him, and he peeked inside.
“You wouldn’t believe what was packed inside-three bottles of roasted groundnuts, plenty of alligator peppers, kola nuts, pawpaw, oranges, agara, mangoes, bananas, and more-all carefully selected by Obi himself. I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw the groundnuts,” he revealed.
Charly Boy later called Obi to express his gratitude, and the politician’s response made the gesture even more meaningful.
Obi told him, “Senior, I couldn’t give you money, but I could give you this-handpicked by me.” Charly Boy admired the thoughtful and authentic nature of the gift, calling Obi “Okute” and expressing deep affection for him.
Reflecting on the experience, Charly Boy emphasized that such heartfelt tokens often carry more significance than cash.
“Sometimes, it’s the simple things that remind you life isn’t so difficult. The kola nuts and bitter kola Obi gave me meant more than money ever could,” he wrote.
Charly Boy has been a vocal supporter of Peter Obi. In 2023, he pledged to walk naked through the streets if Obi lost at the election petitions tribunal. On Charly Boy’s birthday last year, Obi commended him as one of the rare Nigerians who “can speak truth to power and hold leaders accountable.”
