Zacch Adedeji's arrogance is the problem, not the economy

The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, has finally shown us what he truly thinks of Nigerians. In a viral video, he told President Tinubu that critics of the economic reforms should be asked what they would have done differently. He said, "That is what I get worried about when I listen to some people about the economy and everything. Just ask them, what would they do differently?"

But the response from former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Joe Abah, was spot on. Abah described the comment as insensitive and pointed to what the UK's Andy Burnham is doing: removing VAT on domestic electricity, capping bus fares, and cutting business rates for pubs. Abah said, "So, I would have used the increasing tax revenue to tackle the cost of living. That is what I would have done differently at my own level."

This is the real issue. Adedeji is collecting more tax than ever, yet Nigerians are suffering under the highest cost of living in decades. Instead of showing empathy, he is asking what critics would do. The arrogance is deafening. Adekunle Oderinde even noted that Adedeji's convoy is longer than the UK Prime Minister's. So tell me, is this how a servant of the people should talk?