The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, has dismissed concerns over the alleged lavish lifestyle of public officials, saying President Bola Tinubu does not live extravagantly despite his position.
Adedeji stated this during an interview with Channels Television on Sunday monitored by THE WHISTLER while responding to questions about the lifestyle of political office holders amid the economic challenges confronting Nigerians.
The NRS boss said the President often walks from his residence to his office and only uses a vehicle when travelling to the airport.
He also claimed that Tinubu eats only once a day and had not travelled outside Nigeria in the past three months.
Defending the President against criticisms over the number of luxury vehicles reportedly attached to his convoy, Adedeji questioned why Tinubu should not be able to afford such vehicles.
He said, “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? How much is an Escalade that the President of Nigeria cannot afford? Please don’t embarrass this country.”
Adedeji further argued that Tinubu’s activities did not reflect a leader living an extravagant lifestyle, noting that the President had remained largely within the country in recent months.
“What is living large? In the last months, he has not even left the shores of this country, trekking and working. If you go there now, you will see him review one document or the other,” he said.
The NRS chairman also claimed that the President rarely attends social events and spends much of his time working.
“So what is living large? 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.
His comments come amid renewed public debate over government spending and the lifestyles of political leaders as Nigerians continue to grapple with high living costs and economic pressures.
(The Whistler)