Follower, adherent, disciple, sectary, partisan, henchman, satellite are comparable when denoting one who attaches himself to another.
Follower is the inclusive term, denoting a person who attaches himself to the person or opinions of another. Its synonyms divide themselves into two groups, the first three designating a follower through choice or conviction and the last three a follower in whom personal devotion overshadows or eclipses the critical faculty.
Adherent connotes closer and more persistent attachment than follower; it may be used without any implication of the personality of the teacher or leader.
Disciple typically presupposes a master or teacher and implies personal, often devoted, adherence to his views or doctrines, but it may also imply similar adherence to a school of thought or governing principle.
Sectary (see also HERETIC ) usually implies the acceptance of the doctrines of a teacher or body.
Partisan suggests such devotion to the person or opinions of another or to a party, a creed, or a school of thought that there is incapacity for seeing from any other point of view. It often, therefore, connotes bigotry or prejudice.
Henchman is commonly applied to a subservient follower of a political leader or boss; in extended use it connotes abject submission to the will of a dominating and, usually, unscrupulous leader or group.
Satellite , more than any of the others, suggests devotion to the person of the leader and constant obsequious attendance on him.