The National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Campaign Council has mocked President Bola Tinubu over the failure of the national emergency number, 112, during a live television demonstration by his campaign spokesperson, Mallam Alwan Hassan.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its spokesperson, Dr. Chiogo Ikokwu, the council described the incident as a national embarrassment, saying it reflects the failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.
The council said the failed demonstration exposed the gap between the government’s claims and the reality of public services in the country, raising serious concerns about Nigeria’s emergency response infrastructure.
It dismissed the explanation that the failure was caused by network issues, insisting that Nigerians need a functional emergency system, not excuses.
“When Nigerians face accidents, violent attacks, medical emergencies or other life-threatening situations, they need a responsive emergency system, not government propaganda and television performances,” the statement read.
“Giving an excuse that the line did not work because of ‘network issues’ does not cut it at all. We ask the APC government to stop giving excuses and get things moving.”
The council further argued that the incident was not isolated, citing insecurity, poorly equipped hospitals, unreliable public infrastructure, and the rising cost of living as evidence of the administration’s poor performance.
It accused the government of being more interested in defending its record than addressing the challenges facing ordinary Nigerians.
“What makes this particularly troubling is the government’s apparent obsession with defending its record rather than fixing the problems. Public resources, government machinery and official platforms should be deployed to deliver results, not manufacture positive headlines,” it added.
“Governance is not about what government spokespersons say on television; it is about what ordinary Nigerians experience when they need their government most.”
The council described the incident as evidence of a government more concerned with public relations than service delivery.
“A government that cannot demonstrate that its emergency line works should be more concerned about fixing the system than staging public relations exercises. What we saw was a failed APC, failed 112 emergency line, failed everything,” the council said.
The council called on the Tinubu administration to prepare to leave office in 2027, stating that an NDC government led by its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, would restore good governance.
“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,” the statement concluded.