Senator Bukola Saraki on Tuesday drew the ire of his Facebook and Twitter friends and followers following his announcement via his Twitter handle – @bukolasaraki  that he has made available the sum of N100 million to feed the less privileged during the month of Ramadan.

Whilst many of his Twitter followers condemned his announcement of the largesse on Twitter/Facebook as mere show off which they insisted was against the spirit of free-giving, others claimed that the gift was a way of further impoverishing the people as such amount could give employments to many unemployed youths.

They also wondered whether such free-gift would outlive Ramadan, dismissing it as cheap propaganda.

But Saraki later clarified that the donation was announced so the people can know this has been made available to them, a clarification that further infuriated some who questioned whether the so-called poor even have access to the internet where they claimed Saraki is seeking cheap popularity.

But some fans praised Saraki’s philanthropy, some of them dismissing the criticism of Sarakis announcement as unfounded.

The senator, who was former Governor of Kwara State, had written on his Facebook and Twitter page: Yesterday, on behalf of my family and I, I donated the sum of N100 million to assist with the feeding of the less privileged within Kwara Senatorial District for breaking of iftar at different locations. May Allaah accept our ibaadah. Once again I welcome all Muslim faithful to the holy month of Ramadan.

But many of his outraged fans descended on him barely five minutes after the post, forcing him to say the donation was announced so the beneficiaries could know.

Olayide Farouk Sule, one of his Facebook friends, sneered: You don’t need to tell us about this, okay? How many jobs have you created? Move on brother".

Another one, Kayode Lawal, said: "You do well o, whatever you do to the cause of Allah should not be publicised. I hope those you handed the money to would be honest with it".

Prince Olashola Oyinlola, another of Sarakis fans, said: "You tried but must you say it out for people to know? If you do it for them, it is not for them you have done it for but Almighty Allah. My man, learn how to keep things between you and your God".

An angry Igidi George lashed out at Saraki in pidgin English, saying: "Who will feed them after Ramadan? Abeg no give us fish, teach us how to fish!
Bolakale Mustapha Alanamu exclaimed that the whole idea behind the alleged donation is to entrench poverty among the people.

His words: "Poverty, poverty, poverty. Please don’t give us fish, teach us how to fish. Give us job, we are not hungry. Almighty Allah knows your intentions and will reward you accordingly".

Sulaimon Olayinka Abdulfatai said N100 million, can create meaningful jobs for at least 200 graduates, rather than this propaganda donation.

Igbaifua Aselemhe Ferdinand said: "First of all, we appreciate the fact that you made a donation to the poor. But I have two questions for you: One, who is with the money so the poor would know where to go and get something to eat after fasting. Two, come to think of it, who would feed them after Ramadan?

Oyin Ajirotutu Zubair, another Facebook fan of Saraki, said "ABS, you need to brush your public relations outfits. You appeared to be losing fast in Kwara".

Another Facebook friend, Yahaya Habeeb, flayed Saraki for allegedly playing politics with Ramadan donation. "I am very disappointed in you sir. Do you want to count this as one of your achievements? Habeeb asked.

"Why do you have to publicise what supposed to be an act of ibaadah, why are you people using the holy month of Ramadan for campaigning and luring people to your side through what you claimed to be Ramadan gift. To be sincere, this is nothing but display of hypocrisy to God Almighty. Not only you sir but other politicians in the opposition should also stop politicising Ramadan".

But Salihu Olayinka Gegele hailed Saraki’s gesture, dismissing the criticisms as typical of the insatiable human nature.

His words: "You have done well and done yours. Let others do theirs too for us to juxtapose. Mind you sir, you cannot please all. Again, may Allah accept your ibaadah, amen".

Jibrin Lawal also praised the senator, saying: "May Allah help you and assist you in your good mission and vision abundantly.

Yusuf Adebayo, another facebook fan, said: "I completely agree that whatever that is done for the people because of Allah must not be publicised. However it is commendable, for he has doled out that huge amount of money. I used the word huge because such gesture is rare among Nigerian politicians….

Therefore, whether it is public or personal money, at least he has done something worthwhile".