Drogba ‘the solution’ snubs ruling AKP’s invitation for local election event

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet

The legendary Ivorian striker had inadvertently became identified with the Gezi events as many protesters humorously identified his name as 'the solution' in graffiti. AA photo

Galatasaray’s star striker Didier Drogba has refused an offer to be the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) “solution,” denying reports that he had accepted an invitation to campaign with a local mayoral candidate in an Istanbul district.

The news that the legendary Ivorian striker, who inadvertently became identified with the Gezi events as many protesters humorously identified his name as “the solution” in graffiti, would participate in an event organized by the AKP candidate for Istanbul’s Gaziosmanpaşa district had surprised many.

The campaign team of AKP candidate Hasan Tahsin Usta had assured Hürriyet that Drogba’s participation in the Feb. 24 event was “confirmed” and that the Ivorian would appear with Usta to distribute autographs in the district.

The invitation apparently came after Usta, a businessman with ties in Africa, promised to bring the Galatasaray star to Gaziosmanpaşa.

However, Drogba categorically rejected taking part in any such event after his team’s morning training session on Feb. 24.

Galatasaray’s media department had also not been informed about any invitation, daily Hürriyet said.
Drogba works with an independent public relations director in the U.K. to select the organizations and media events that he attends, and any invitation needs to get the green light from his PR director, according to Hürriyet. 

The Ivorian legend had reacted positively to the graffiti referencing him during the Gezi protests, indirectly expressing his support to the demonstrators, sharing a photo of one graffiti image dedicated to him online and expressing his sorrow for the events. “My heart is with you,” Drogba had added in his message.