Zacch Adedeji says President Tinubu walks from his residence to office, eats once daily and has not travelled abroad in three months
The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has defended President Bola Tinubu against concerns over the alleged lavish lifestyles of political office holders amid Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Adedeji made the remarks during an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, where journalist Seun Okinbaloye questioned him about the lifestyles of government officials at a time when Nigerians are facing rising living costs.
The NRS chairman dismissed suggestions that President Tinubu lives extravagantly, claiming that the President often walks from his residence to his office and only uses a vehicle when travelling to the airport.
Mr President goes from home to office on foot, not even driving except when he is going to the airport. I don’t know where you see the convoy, Adedeji said.
He also defended reports concerning the number of luxury vehicles allegedly attached to the President’s convoy, arguing that President Tinubu could afford such vehicles.
“How much is an Escalade that the President of Nigeria cannot afford? Please don’t embarrass this country,” he said.
Adedeji further claimed that President Tinubu had not travelled outside Nigeria in the past three months and spends most of his time working on government documents.
“If you go there now, you will see him review one document or the other. So what is living large?” he asked.
The NRS chairman also claimed that the President eats only once a day and rarely attends social events.
“The President eats once in a day. How many parties have you seen him at in the last three years? Tell me where you have seen him, whether on holiday or anywhere?” he said.
His comments come amid ongoing public debate over government spending and the lifestyles of political leaders, particularly as Nigerians continue to grapple with economic pressures and the rising cost of living.