EXTRA: Buhari ends Ramadan by personally serving food to IDPs, hairdressers, tailors

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday hosted some internally displaced persons (IDPs), the physically challenged and hairdressers at the state house for the breaking of the Ramadan fast.

He also personally served taxi drivers, Keke NAPEP drivers, okada riders, tailors, barbers, mechanics, butchers and traders the buffet.

The daily breaking of fast, known as iftar, was recently criticised by Aisha Yesufu, a key of member of the #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) group, who complained that Buhari had made a habit of dining with the influential members of the society, neglecting the poor who welcomed him to campaign rallies.

Buhari had dined with service chiefs, business leaders, senior members of his party, the media, top officials of his government, senior judicial officials and Muslim clerics after returning from the UK on a short vacation.

His guests who were conveyed to the conference center in Abuja Mass Transit buses.‎

In his remarks, the president said he was pleased to spend the evening with them, saying ‎more has to be done to change the situation of disadvantaged Nigerians.

“I assure you that the leadership of this country is conscious of you. I’m being told that more has to be done,” he said.

“Our intentions are good and honourable but I have to remind you of what we inherited from the previous administration.”

He came at a time crude oil price had fallen from $120 to $30 per barrel, he said, expressing regrets that despite the huge sums of money realised from oil, “the country was unable to fix power, no rail, no drinking water. I kept asking what did we do with all the money we made. But the answers are coming with the heavy weight in detentions now.”

Buhari said: “‎Be mindful that we care about you on daily basis, we will try to improve health services so you will spend less time looking for medical care.

“Tell your family that this government is concern about your welfare and will work very hard to improve it.”

‎In his vote of thanks on behalf of the invited guests, Musbaahu Lawan Wadidi‎, who is physically challenged, said it was a privilege to dine with the president.

Musa Abdullahi, an IDP from Gwoza in Borno state, said the Muslim prayer.

Joseph Jauro, another IDP from Madagali local government in Adamawa State, said the Christian prayer.