Charly Boy slams Wole Soyinka for accepting Tinubu’s national honour

Controversial entertainer and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has stirred debate online following a scathing post aimed at Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.

Reacting to the recent Democracy Day honours conferred by President Bola Tinubu, Charly Boy questioned Soyinka’s decision to accept the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), despite rejecting a similar national award from former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.

Taking to social media, Charly Boy wrote:

“In 2014, this man rejected an award from President Goodluck Jonathan citing democratic principles. Today he accepted the same award from Tinubu who is far more undemocratic.
You decide if this man lives on his own principles or is he an overrated ethnic bigot…”

The comment has since gone viral, creating mixed reactions among Nigerians. While some supported Charly Boy’s criticism, citing recent concerns about the Tinubu administration’s handling of national security and democratic freedoms, others defended Soyinka, arguing that the honour was about celebrating a lifetime of contribution to democracy and literature, not an endorsement of the current government.

The backlash comes days after President Tinubu honoured Soyinka and over 60 others with national awards to mark June 12 Democracy Day. The recognition of Soyinka with the GCON stirred nostalgia and pride among many Nigerians, but Charly Boy’s remarks have opened a fresh chapter in the ongoing national conversation around integrity, consistency, and political alignment.

As of the time of this report, Soyinka has not publicly responded to Charly Boy’s statement.