Tinubu Walks to Office, Eats Once Daily, Adedeji Says

By Gloria Drealomalicha

The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, has defended President Bola Tinubu against criticisms over the alleged lavish lifestyle of political office holders.

Adedeji said Tinubu was not living extravagantly despite occupying the highest political office in the country.

The revenue chief stated this during an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, while responding to questions from journalist Seun Okinbaloye on the lifestyle of government officials amid the economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians.

There has been growing public debate over government expenditure and the lifestyles of political leaders, particularly at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with rising living costs.

But Adedeji dismissed the suggestion that Tinubu was living large, claiming that the President sometimes walks from his residence to his office.

“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,” he said.

According to him, Tinubu had also not travelled outside the country in the past three months.

Adedeji further claimed that the President eats only once a day, describing him as someone who spends much of his time working rather than attending social events.

“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.

The NRS boss was also confronted with questions about the reported number of Cadillac Escalades allegedly attached to Tinubu’s convoy.

Adedeji, however, questioned why the President’s use of expensive vehicles should automatically be regarded as evidence of extravagant living.

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

He also challenged critics to point to occasions when Tinubu had frequently attended parties or gone on holidays since becoming President.

“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.

The comments come amid continuing public scrutiny of the spending and lifestyles of public officials, with many Nigerians demanding greater accountability from government at a time of widespread economic pressure.

While Adedeji’s remarks offered a strong defence of the President, his claims about Tinubu’s daily routine and movements were made during the television interview and were not independently established in the discussion.