THE All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has sacked Alwan Hassan as a spokesman, following his failed attempt to demonstrate the effectiveness of Nigeria’s 112 emergency number on live television programme on Wednesday, November 10.
Hassan had appeared on a live television to defend President Bola Tinubu’s administration, during which he challenged presenter to dial 112, insisting the number was fully operational.But after several attempts, connection failed.
Hassan described 112 as an emergency service for medical emergencies, security threats and road accidents, comparing it to the United States’ (US) 911 system.
He challenged the programme anchor: “Take your phone and call 112. Nobody knows about this. We used to hear it in America, 911.
“Call 112 now, put it on the speaker, and they’ll ask you what’s your emergency.”
However, after the call failed to connect, Hassan blamed it on possible network problem, insisting that the service was operational.
He could not offer any satisfactory explanation when reminded that other calls from the studio were connecting successfully.
In a statement on Wednesday, November 11, signed by Femi Gbajabiamila, following the embarrassing encounter, the campaign council announced a restructuring of its media directorate, restricting official spokesperson duties to three officials- Director General Abdulaziz Yari; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Hassan and three other spokespersons-Ayobami Oyalowo, Kemi Asekun-Shittu and Adamu Fanda- were relieved of their positions, but will remain members of the directorate.
The changes, the council said, was aimed at ensuring “more cohesive, disciplined and effective public engagement.”
It also directed radio and television stations to comply with the new arrangement, adding that authorised representatives would be assigned to media appearances when necessary.
