The Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has defended President Bola Tinubu against criticism over the cost of governance, insisting that the President does not live a lavish lifestyle as alleged by some Nigerians.
Adedeji spoke during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics after host Seun Okinbaloye questioned whether he was not concerned about the perception that government officials “live large and in luxury” while many Nigerians face pov£rty.
Responding, Adedeji said Tinubu’s personal lifestyle does not reflect the image of excessive spending often associated with government.
“Mr. President goes from home to office on foot, not even driving. I don’t know except he’s going to the airport, so I don’t know where you see the convoy. In the last three months, he has not even left the shore of this country, walking trekking from work to If you go there now, you will still see him reviewing one document or the other,” he said.
He further questioned what had changed about Tinubu’s personal expenses since becoming President, asking, “How much is escalade that the president of Nigeria cannot afford?”
Adedeji also defended the use of government aircraft, questioning whether the President was expected to travel commercially.
Okinbaloye, however, stressed that the debate over the cost of governance goes beyond the President’s personal lifestyle, pointing to expenses involving ministers, heads of agencies and other government officials.
Adedeji responded by explaining that government spending also affects the wider economy, arguing that reducing spending indiscriminately could hurt businesses that depend on government patronage and, ultimately, reduce tax revenue.
“Government is both debit and credit,” Adedeji said; stressing that government spending can generate income for businesses and taxes for the government.
The exchange comes amid continued public debate over government spending, austerity measures and the management of public resource
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