Ekiti Truck Driver Borrows N3.5m to Back Tinubu, Bamidele, Fatoba

By Idowu Adebomi, Ado-Ekiti

An Ado-Ekiti-born mini-truck driver, Adeleye Adeniyi, popularly known as the “Online Loan Man for BAO,” has disclosed that he borrowed a total of N3.5 million to support the political ambitions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and Hon. Steve Fatoba.

Adeniyi, who made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, said his decision to commit his personal resources to the politicians was driven by his appreciation of what he described as their contributions to national and state development.

According to him, the N3.5 million was apportioned as N2 million for President Tinubu, N1 million for Senator Bamidele and N500,000 for Hon. Fatoba.

He explained that his support for Tinubu was informed by what he described as visible infrastructural and educational interventions of the Federal Government, including road reconstruction, ongoing federal projects and the student loan scheme.

Adeniyi said he believed such initiatives demonstrated the President's commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians, adding that he was therefore prepared to make a personal financial sacrifice towards Tinubu's second-term bid.

On Senator Bamidele, the truck driver commended the Senate Leader for what he described as impactful interventions in healthcare, education, electricity and rural infrastructure across Ekiti State.

He specifically cited the renovation of Government Science College, Efon-Alaaye, provision of a school bus and solar-powered electricity projects as some of the interventions that, according to him, had positively affected constituents.

He similarly praised Hon. Fatoba for his contributions to agriculture, youth development and education, saying the N500,000 earmarked for him was intended to encourage him to sustain what Adeniyi described as his developmental efforts.

The mini-truck driver said his latest gesture was not his first major personal sacrifice for a political cause.

He recalled that in June, he reportedly borrowed money to acquire a bus which he branded in support of Governor Biodun Oyebanji's second-term re-election campaign.

According to him, the experience further strengthened his determination to support politicians whose performances he considers worthy of commendation.

Explaining his motivation, Adeniyi said citizens should not always expect politicians to personally finance every form of support extended to them, arguing that supporters could also make sacrifices for leaders whose programmes and performances 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,” he said.

Adeniyi disclosed that the N2 million earmarked for President Tinubu was already available, adding that he intended to present the money through Governor Oyebanji.

He appealed to Nigerians to use their votes to reward what they consider good governance, urging them to support the re-election of Tinubu, Bamidele and Fatoba.

He also expressed appreciation to Governor Oyebanji, whom he described as a leader who had performed well in office.

Adeniyi stressed that his gesture was voluntary and represented his personal way of showing appreciation to political leaders whose activities he believes have impacted positively on the people.

The unusual gesture has also drawn attention to the growing role of individual supporters in political mobilisation, while raising broader questions about political loyalty, citizen participation and the extent to which ordinary citizens should go in financing political causes.