Ekiti driver borrows N3.5m to campaign for Tinubu, others
An Ekiti-based mini-truck driver, Adeleye Adeniyi, has borrowed N3.5 million to support the re-election campaigns of President Bola Tinubu, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and Ekiti State House of Assembly member Steve Fatoba.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash Lite
A mini-truck driver in Ekiti State, Adeleye Adeniyi, has taken out loans totaling N3.5 million to fund his campaign efforts for President Bola Tinubu and two other politicians, citing their performance as motivation. This act highlights a unique form of grassroots political engagement driven by personal conviction and financial sacrifice.
Imagine a driver who really believes his favorite politicians will do a great job. He's so sure that he borrowed a lot of money, like borrowing from a friend to buy a lot of toys for everyone, to help them win their elections and campaign for them. He hopes they'll do even better if they win again.
Analysis
Adeleye Adeniyi's Financial Commitment
Adeleye Adeniyi, a mini-truck driver from Ado-Ekiti, has garnered attention for his substantial financial backing of political campaigns. He disclosed that he borrowed N3.5 million, presenting a Wema Bank cardboard cheque that detailed allocations: N2 million for President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid, N1 million for Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and N500,000 for Ekiti State House of Assembly member Steve Fatoba. Adeniyi stated his intention to actively campaign for these politicians, driven by his perception of their positive performance in their respective offices.
His rationale for supporting President Tinubu stems from a belief that the President is performing a "very great job" and that more benefits will accrue to Nigerians if he is re-elected. Adeniyi expressed his readiness to campaign vigorously, even referencing a song, "On your mandate, we shall stand," to underscore his commitment. He appealed to fellow Nigerians to demonstrate their "love" by voting for Tinubu's second term, anticipating greater outcomes than what has already been achieved.
Political Endorsements and Performance
Beyond the presidential endorsement, Adeniyi also lauded Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji for their contributions to critical sectors within the state. He specifically mentioned their impact on healthcare, education, electricity, and rural infrastructure. Adeniyi's admiration for Bamidele was evident as he prayed for the Senator's continued political ascent, noting that the projects he championed were encouraging and indicative of good leadership.
This is not the first time Adeniyi has attracted public notice for his political support. In February 2026, he reportedly took out a loan via the digital lending platform OPay to brand a vehicle in support of Governor Oyebanji's second-term bid. At that time, he cited his admiration for the governor's administration and praised Oyebanji and Tinubu for their policies on education, healthcare, and citizen welfare, urging residents to support the governor's re-election.
Grassroots Mobilization and Personal Sacrifice
The driver's actions, particularly his willingness to borrow significant sums of money, highlight a unique form of grassroots political engagement. His moniker, "Online Loan Man for BAO," reflects his previous actions and his current financial strategy. Operating around the BAO Timber Market in Ado-Ekiti, Adeniyi's personal sacrifice underscores a deep-seated belief in the politicians he supports and their potential to deliver on their promises.
His public display of financial commitment, through the cardboard cheques, serves as a visible testament to his dedication. This approach, while unconventional, demonstrates a personal investment in the political process, aiming to influence public opinion and electoral outcomes through visible acts of support and advocacy. The story also implicitly raises questions about the financial pressures and motivations that drive such fervent political endorsements at the individual level.
Key points
- A mini-truck driver in Ekiti State, Adeleye Adeniyi, has borrowed N3.5 million to support political campaigns.
- The funds are allocated to President Bola Tinubu (N2m), Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (N1m), and Steve Fatoba (N500,000).
- Adeniyi cited the politicians' performance as his motivation for financial and active campaign support.
- This is not the first time Adeniyi has used personal loans for political branding and support.
- His actions highlight a unique form of personal financial commitment to political figures in Nigeria.
Adeniyi's actions could inspire a new wave of dedicated grassroots campaigning, where citizens personally invest in the political future they believe in. If the politicians he supports deliver on their promises, it could validate his significant personal sacrifice and encourage similar civic engagement.
The driver's reliance on borrowed funds for political campaigning carries substantial personal financial risk. If the politicians fail to meet expectations or if his loans become unmanageable, Adeniyi could face severe debt and personal hardship, overshadowing any positive political outcome.
