Tinubu Doesn’t Live Lavishly, Eats Once Daily, Walks to Office — Zacch Adedeji

The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, has dismissed concerns over the alleged lavish lifestyle of public officials, insisting that President Bola Tinubu does not live extravagantly despite occupying the country’s highest political office.

Adedeji made the claim during an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, while responding to questions from journalist Seun Okinbaloye about the lifestyles of political office holders amid the economic hardship confronting millions of Nigerians.

The discussion comes against the backdrop of growing public scrutiny of government spending and the lifestyles of political leaders, particularly as Nigerians grapple with rising living costs and mounting economic pressures.

Defending the President, Adedeji said Tinubu was not living the extravagant lifestyle often associated with occupants of the presidency.

According to him, the President sometimes 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,” Adedeji said.

He also claimed that Tinubu eats only once a day and had not travelled outside Nigeria in the past three months.

“If you go there now, you will see him review one document or the other. So what is living large? The President eats once in a day,” he said.

Adedeji was also questioned about reports concerning the number of Cadillac Escalades allegedly attached to the President’s convoy.

Rather than accepting the premise of the question, the revenue chief questioned why the President should be criticised for using expensive vehicles, arguing that Tinubu could afford them.

“How much is an Escalade that the President of Nigeria cannot afford? Please don’t embarrass this country,” he said.

He further challenged Nigerians to point to instances where Tinubu had been seen frequently attending parties or going on holidays since assuming office.

“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?” Adedeji asked.

His comments come at a time when the lifestyle and spending of public officials remain sensitive issues in Nigeria, with citizens increasingly demanding greater accountability and restraint from those in government amid the country’s economic difficulties.