The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has criticised the Federal Government following the failure of Nigeria’s 112 emergency number to connect during a live television demonstration by President Bola Tinubu’s campaign spokesperson, Alwan Hassan.
Hassan had appeared on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” program, where he challenged the program’s anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, to dial 112 to demonstrate that the emergency service was operational.
The APC Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson explained that the number could be used to seek assistance during medical emergencies, security threats and other distress situations.
However, the demonstration failed to produce a connection despite repeated attempts, prompting Okinbaloye to question the functionality of the service.
Hassan maintained that the emergency line was operational but suggested that a network problem might have caused the failure.
Reacting to the incident, the NDC described it as a national embarrassment, accusing the APC-led government of failing to provide reliable public services.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Campaign Council spokesperson, Dr Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, the opposition party said the incident exposed concerns about the country’s emergency response infrastructure.
The party argued that Nigerians should be able to access emergency assistance without difficulty, particularly during road accidents, violent attacks and medical emergencies.
It also faulted the government’s response to the failed demonstration, insisting that authorities should address the challenges confronting the emergency system rather than attribute the incident to network problems.
The statement partly read,
“The failed attempt by President Bola Tinubu’s Campaign Spokesperson, Mallam Alwan Hassan, to demonstrate the functionality of Nigeria’s 112 emergency line on national television was nothing short of a national embarrassment, and a prime example of the total flop of APC government that we’ve been speaking about.”
The NDC further accused the Tinubu administration of prioritising public relations over addressing challenges affecting Nigerians.
It listed insecurity, poorly equipped hospitals, unreliable public infrastructure, institutional weaknesses and the rising cost of living among the problems confronting the country.
“Governance is not about what government spokespersons say on television; it is about what ordinary Nigerians experience when they need their government most,” the statement added.
The opposition party also urged the APC to prepare to leave office in 2027, stating that Nigerians deserve a government that works, institutions that function and public services that can be trusted when lives are on the line.
Public safety is not a propaganda exercise.