SNOW TV NEWS DESK
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has removed Alwan Hassan from his position as a campaign spokesperson following a controversial television appearance in which his claim about Nigeria’s 112 emergency number was challenged live on air.
The decision was announced on Wednesday in a statement signed by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu and Deputy Director-General (Administration) of the campaign council.
Under the new arrangement, the council has restricted official campaign communication to three individuals: its Director-General, Abdulaziz Yari; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, who remains the official spokesperson; and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Other previously appointed spokespersons, including Hassan, Ayobami Oyalowo, Kemi Asekun-Shittu, and Adamu Fanda, have been removed from their positions and reassigned as ordinary members of the Directorate of Media and Strategic Communications.
The development follows Hassan’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday night, where he was expected to defend the Tinubu administration’s performance and highlight its achievements.
During the interview, Hassan identified the national 112 emergency number as one of the government’s major accomplishments, comparing it to the 911 emergency service used in the United States.
He argued that Nigerians could dial 112 to access assistance during medical emergencies, security incidents, road accidents, and other distress situations.
To demonstrate his point, Hassan challenged the program’s presenter to dial the number during the live broadcast.
“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 your emergency is,” he said.
However, the demonstration did not go as expected, as repeated attempts to reach the emergency service reportedly failed during the broadcast.
The incident quickly attracted attention, particularly because Hassan had presented the number as evidence of the administration’s achievements.
Beyond the immediate embarrassment, the episode has drawn attention to a broader issue surrounding public communication and government accountability: the difference between announcing a public service and demonstrating that it works reliably for citizens.
An emergency hotline is particularly sensitive because its effectiveness can determine how quickly people receive help during life-threatening situations. While a failed call during a television broadcast does not independently establish that the entire service is non-functional, it raises legitimate questions about accessibility and reliability.
Hassan’s removal also comes weeks after another controversial television appearance in which he claimed that some ministers paid billions of naira to secure appointments in Tinubu’s administration, a statement that generated considerable public debate.
The latest restructuring suggests that the campaign council intends to centralize its messaging and limit the number of officials authorized to speak publicly on its behalf.
The APC-PCC has not publicly stated that Hassan’s removal was specifically a punishment for the failed 112 demonstration. Nevertheless, the timing has placed his television appearance at the center of the controversy.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
