By Law Ibitoye
An Ado-Ekiti-born mini-truck driver, Adeleye Adeniyi, popularly known as “Online Loan Man for BAO,” has stirred political conversations in Ekiti after revealing that he borrowed ₦3.5 million to personally support the political ambitions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and Hon. Steve Fatoba.
Adeniyi, while speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti, described himself as a low-income earner, that he secured the loans as a personal gesture of appreciation for what he considers the impactful interventions of the three political leaders, stressing that citizens should not only expect politicians to spend their personal resources on them but should also be willing to support leaders they believe are performing.
According to him, ₦2 million has been set aside for President Tinubu’s second-term campaign, ₦1 million for Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, and ₦500,000 for Hon. Steve Fatoba, whom he wants to see retain their positions because of what he described as their interventions in agriculture, youth development ,education , good roads and above all good governance..
The mini-truck driver said his decision to back Tinubu was influenced by the Federal Government’s infrastructure and education initiatives, particularly road projects and the student-loan programme, which he said had given many Nigerians renewed hope. He argued that citizens should critically assess the impact of government policies rather than dismissing every intervention because of political differences.
Adeniyi specially commended Senator Bamidele, citing interventions in healthcare, education, electricity and rural infrastructure across Ekiti. He specifically mentioned the renovation of Government Science College, in Iyin Ekiti and Efon Alaaye, provision of a school bus and solar-power projects to the sixteen local government Areas as initiatives that, demonstrated the importance of continuity in representation.
He also praised Fatoba for what he described as interventions benefiting farmers, young people and schools within his constituency, saying his ₦500,000 contribution was intended to encourage the lawmaker to sustain such initiatives and give voters more reasons to support him.
Adeniyi’s latest gesture is not his first dramatic personal investment in a political campaign.
In June, the Ado-Ekiti-born hustler borrowed money online to acquire a bus, which he subsequently branded in support of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election campaign. He said that experience further strengthened his conviction that political support should not always be measured by what supporters receive from politicians, but also by what they are prepared to contribute to causes they believe in. “We should not wait until those who are serving us are using their own resources and giving us money. We can also come out and use our personal resources to support them,” Adeniyi said.
He disclosed that the money earmarked for Tinubu was already available and expressed confidence that he would be able to present it through Governor Oyebanji for onward delivery to the President.
Beyond the financial gesture, Adeniyi said he was prepared to personally campaign for Tinubu’s second term, while urging Nigerians to use their votes to reward leaders whose performances they consider satisfactory.
He equally appealed to voters in Ekiti Central and Fatoba’s constituency to support the re-election of the two lawmakers, arguing that continuity would enable them to consolidate on their ongoing projects and interventions.
Adeniyi’s action, however, has opened a wider conversation about the extent to which ordinary citizens should personally finance political causes, particularly when such support involves borrowing money.
For a mini-truck driver who describes himself as a low-income earner to commit ₦3.5 million of borrowed funds to political support is bound to attract both admiration and criticism, raising questions about political loyalty, citizens’ participation, campaign financing and the responsibility of elected leaders to justify the confidence placed in them.
For Adeniyi, the calculation is simple: when a leader delivers what a supporter considers meaningful results, the supporter should be prepared to reciprocate with loyalty, advocacy and personal sacrifice.
He also commended Governor Oyebanji for what he described as his achievements in Ekiti, praying that the governor would attain higher political responsibilities.