The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has dismissed concerns over the lifestyle of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that the President does not live extravagantly despite the privileges attached to his office.
Adedeji made the assertion during an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, while responding to questions from journalist Seun Okinbaloye on the lifestyles of political office holders amid the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians.
The NRS chairman’s comments come amid renewed public scrutiny of government expenditure, official privileges and the lifestyles of political leaders as Nigerians contend with rising living costs and broader economic pressures.
Defending Tinubu, Adedeji said 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. Before he became president, what is he riding?” he said.
Adedeji also claimed that Tinubu eats only once a day and had not travelled outside Nigeria in the preceding three months, describing the President as focused on his official responsibilities.
“If you go there now, you will see him review one document or the other,” he said.
The NRS boss was also questioned about reports concerning the number of Cadillac Escalades allegedly attached to the President’s convoy and whether such vehicles amounted to an extravagant lifestyle.
Challenging the premise of the question, Adedeji said the President could afford the vehicles, adding: “How much is an Escalade that the president of Nigeria cannot afford? Please don’t embarrass this country.”
He further questioned the basis for describing Tinubu’s lifestyle as lavish, noting that the President had made few foreign trips in recent months.
“What is living large? In the last months, he has not even left the shores of this country, trekking and working,” Adedeji said.
He also pointed to the President’s limited participation in social events as evidence that Tinubu does not indulge in an extravagant lifestyle.
“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 asked.
The remarks come against the backdrop of continuing public debate over the cost of governance and the lifestyles of political office holders, with critics increasingly demanding greater accountability and restraint in public spending.
The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has dismissed concerns over the lifestyle of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that the President does not live extravagantly despite the privileges attached to his office.
Adedeji made the assertion during an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, while responding to questions from journalist Seun Okinbaloye on the lifestyles of political office holders amid the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians.
The NRS chairman’s comments come amid renewed public scrutiny of government expenditure, official privileges and the lifestyles of political leaders as Nigerians contend with rising living costs and broader economic pressures.
Defending Tinubu, Adedeji said 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. Before he became president, what is he riding?” he said.
Adedeji also claimed that Tinubu eats only once a day and had not travelled outside Nigeria in the preceding three months, describing the President as focused on his official responsibilities.
“If you go there now, you will see him review one document or the other,” he said.
The NRS boss was also questioned about reports concerning the number of Cadillac Escalades allegedly attached to the President’s convoy and whether such vehicles amounted to an extravagant lifestyle.
Challenging the premise of the question, Adedeji said the President could afford the vehicles, adding: “How much is an Escalade that the president of Nigeria cannot afford? Please don’t embarrass this country.”
He further questioned the basis for describing Tinubu’s lifestyle as lavish, noting that the President had made few foreign trips in recent months.
“What is living large? In the last months, he has not even left the shores of this country, trekking and working,” Adedeji said.
He also pointed to the President’s limited participation in social events as evidence that Tinubu does not indulge in an extravagant lifestyle.
“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 asked.
The remarks come against the backdrop of continuing public debate over the cost of governance and the lifestyles of political office holders, with critics increasingly demanding greater accountability and restraint in public spending.