President fetes IDPs, Taxi drivers, others at breaking of fast

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja hosted less-privileged members of the society to the breaking of Ramadan fast with a pledge that his administration would adequately address their challenges.

The president, who personally served food to his guests, stated that his administration was conscious of their needs and desire but that the government met very poor conditions on ground.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the guests included some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Taxi drivers, hair dressers, motorcycle riders, barbers, transport workers, butchers, tailors, and junior staff of the campaign office of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The president pledged that the APC-led Federal Government would improve the nation’s medical services and other social amenities to uplift the quality of life of the less privileged members of the society across the country.

``Please, I want you to bear in mind as from today that we care about you, on daily basis. We will try and improve the medical care and other services so that you spend less time looking for treatment or looking for sympathy,’’ he added.

On the ongoing fight against corrupt practices in the country, the president warned that those planning to deter his administration from fighting corruption in the country would face the consequences.

He said: "Whoever deters us from fighting corruption will suffer the consequences."

The President said that it was unfortunate that some members of the elite were self-centred and only cared for themselves.

He lamented that very little was on ground to show for the huge income the nation generated from sales of oil in the 16 years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rule.

President Buhari frowned at the inability of the past administrations to address the problems of epileptic power supply, railway and portable drinking water for the populace among other problems.

In a vote of thanks, a physically challenged, Musbahu Lawal Didi, commended the President for having the interest of disabled persons at heart.

He also urged the President to set up a Commission for the disabled so that their interest could be further taken care of.

Present at the dinner included the Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal.

The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate represented Senate President Bukola Saraki.