The Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against criticisms of extravagance, claiming that the President maintains a modest personal routine despite his position.
Adedeji made the comments during an interview with Channels Television, where he was asked to respond to concerns over the lifestyles and spending habits of political office holders amid the economic challenges confronting Nigerians.
According to the NRS chairman, Tinubu frequently walks from his residence to his office and only uses a vehicle when travelling to the airport.
He also claimed that the President eats just once a day and had not travelled outside Nigeria in the past three months.
Adedeji argued that these habits did not support the perception that Tinubu was living an extravagant lifestyle.
“Mr President goes from home to office on foot, not even driving except when he is going to the airport,” he said.
He also dismissed concerns over reports that several Cadillac Escalade vehicles were attached to the President’s convoy, arguing that the use of such vehicles by the country’s leader should not automatically be interpreted as excessive spending.
“How much is an Escalade that the President of Nigeria cannot afford? Please don’t embarrass this country,” Adedeji said.
The NRS chairman further maintained that Tinubu spends much of his time working and attending to official documents rather than engaging in social activities or frequent foreign trips.
He said the President had spent the past few months largely within the country, describing his schedule as focused on official duties.
“What is living large? In the last months, he has not even left the shores of this country, trekking and working,” Adedeji said.
The remarks come amid continued public debate over the cost of governance, official vehicles, foreign trips and other expenses involving public office holders as Nigerians contend with economic pressures and rising living costs.
Adedeji, however, maintained that the President’s personal routine and work schedule did not reflect the extravagant lifestyle critics have attributed to him.
