The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has stoutly defended President Bola Tinubu against allegations of extravagant living by political leaders during a period of severe economic hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
Speaking on Sunday during an interview on Channels Television with journalist Seun Okinbaloye, Adedeji rejected suggestions that public officials are maintaining lavish lifestyles while citizens struggle with rising living costs and financial pressure.
According to Adedeji, the President maintains a modest personal routine, walking from his residence to his office every day and reserving motor transport almost exclusively for trips to the airport. He added that Tinubu works continuously reviewing documents, eats just one meal a day, and has not left the country in three months.
When pressed on reports regarding the extensive convoy of Cadillac Escalades assigned to the President, the revenue chief dismissed the criticism, insisting Tinubu had the personal financial means to afford such cars prior to taking office.
“How much is an Escalade that the president of Nigeria cannot afford? Please don’t embarrass this country,” Adedeji remarked.
Addressing public perception of presidential indulgence, he questioned where critics were seeing lavish behaviour, asking: “The president eats once in a day. How many parties have you seen him at in the last three years?”