Togolese football star Adebayor angers anti-government protesters with comment

Togolese international Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor has attracted some fury from anti-government protesters after his brief comment on the political crisis in the country.

The captain of the Togolese national team who plays for Turkish top flight football club İstanbul Başakşehir said in a recent interview that the protesters should first think of contributing to the country.

“If the President leaves, will the people without jobs find one more easily? Not sure. We have Libya as an example with Gaddafi. We saw this country with and without him. Libyans are regretting it! The Togolese diaspora in Paris who talk about marching, fly back to the country if you want to march,” he told French media So Foot after some hesitation.

This comment attracted a lot of criticisms from opposition supporters on social media who also said they weren’t surprised because he had supported President Faure Gnassingbe in 2015 during the presidential election.

A 14-party opposition coalition is calling for the resignation of President Faure Gnassingbe, the return of the original 1992 Constitution that stipulates a two five-year term limit for presidents as well as a two-round voting system. They have been protesting since August.

Below are some reactions to Adebayor’s comment.

Donc E_Adebayor pense que sans Faure, les Togolais n'auront pas d'emploie. Tchoo azea, qu'est ce que le football a fait a ton cerveau? T'es déconnecté de la réalité quotidienne au #Togo. Change de camp et rejoint la revolution. #Fauremustgo!

— sostogo (Africa_Palaver) November 8, 2017

“So @E_Adebayor thinks without Faure, the Togolese will not be employed. Tchoo, is this what football has done to your brain? You’re disconnected from the reality in Togo. Change camps and join the revolution.”

#Adebayor, it's not because you have a brain in your legs that those of us who have it in our head are stupid. If you enjoy dictatorship so much, transfer to North Korea.

— Farida Nabourema (@Farida_N) November 8, 2017

Adebayor can pass by Nairobi and pick UKenyatta for good company.

— Nasadamu (Nasadamu1) November 8, 2017

It's a schizophrenic, who is seeking the protection of a guardian. Let us pray for him.

— L. Touré (@Ma_tryx) November 8, 2017

Adebayor, c'est le gars qui a un jet privé,mais ne descend jamais à Lomé, préférant atterrir au Ghana voisin,mais demande aux gens de ne pas manifester leur ras-le-bol

— Yen Silvestre (@yensilver2010) November 8, 2017

“Adebayor, he’s the guy who has a private jet, but never lands in Lomé, preferring a land in neighboring Ghana, but asks people not to demonstrate”.

Shots at Emmanuel Adebayor? ?? https://t.co/eHA67D1c66

— Basil Abia (@basilabia) November 8, 2017

I think Adebayor has enough money to buy himself some brain. It will be usefull for the humanity

— AKOTCHOLO Akpénè (@akpenerose) November 8, 2017

FEGnassingbe sending #Adebayor to come tell us that we will not be better off without you is an insult to his own I intelligence, not ours. #Togodebout

— Farida Nabourema (Farida_N) November 8, 2017