Nigeria Revenue Service Chairman Zacch Adedeji has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against criticism over the lifestyle and spending of political office holders, saying the President does not live extravagantly despite his position.
Adedeji made the remarks during an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, where journalist Seun Okinbaloye questioned him about the lifestyles of government officials amid rising living costs and economic pressure on Nigerians.
Responding to questions about Tinubu’s movements and reported use of luxury vehicles, Adedeji said the President usually 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,” Adedeji said, while challenging claims about the size and cost of the presidential convoy.
He also argued that there was nothing unusual about the President having access to expensive vehicles, saying Tinubu could afford such vehicles. “How much is an Escalade that the president of Nigeria cannot afford?” he asked.
Adedeji further claimed that Tinubu had not travelled outside Nigeria in the past three months and spends much of his time working on official documents. He also said the President eats only once a day.
The NRS chairman questioned the basis for describing Tinubu’s lifestyle as extravagant, asking how many public events or holidays the President had attended in recent years.
His comments come as Nigerians continue to debate government spending and the lifestyles of political leaders against the backdrop of high living costs and economic hardship. The claims about the President’s personal routines and movements were made by Adedeji during the interview and were not independently verified in the report.
