Friends and associates of Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), on the Plateau have expressed serious concern over what they described as major protocol lapses in the handling of the President’s representative during the recent Tiv Day Celebration and Chieftaincy Title Awards held in Benue State.

The group noted that the incident occurred at the high-profile cultural event presided over by James Iorzua Ayatse, the Tor Tiv and paramount ruler of the Tiv Nation, stating that the manner in which the President’s envoy was received has generated widespread concern and public unease.

In a press statement signed  by Emmanuel Hemba, a professor and deputy convener of the group, and Dennis Kwaghie, Secretary, made available to journalists on Thursday in Jos, the group explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was formally invited to attend the event, had delegated Senator George Akume to represent him. 

They added that appropriate advance notice of the SGF’s attendance and official entourage was duly communicated through established channels.

According to the statement, the first protocol failure occurred on arrival in Benue State, where no official reception was arranged at the airport for the President’s representative—an omission the group described as inconsistent with standard practice for hosting a federal delegation of such stature.

"Despite representing the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the SGF reportedly arrived at the venue ahead of the Executive Governor of Benue State and the commencement of formal proceedings, only to be left unattended for several hours without clear protocol direction or engagement by relevant state officials"; the group said. 

The situation, the group added, was further compounded by inadequate seating arrangements, which resulted in the President’s representative and his entourage being made to manage a single three-seater chair. They described this as a serious failure of planning and coordination by those responsible for state protocol and event logistics.

In addition, the group noted that poor crowd control and the activities of unruly elements at the venue disrupted proceedings and undermined the dignity ordinarily accorded to a representative of the Presidency.

While acknowledging that political differences may exist between Senator Akume and the Executive Governor of Benue State, the group stressed that such differences should not influence the conduct of official duties or the management of events involving national institutions.

They emphasized that protocol, security, seating, and overall coordination at such major events fall primarily within the responsibility of the state government and its designated agencies.

The statement clarified that the concerns raised were not intended as an attack on the Tiv traditional institution, which has historically stood for honour, hospitality, and unity, but rather as a call for accountability and improved coordination by state authorities charged with executing protocol at public events.

Describing the incident as regrettable, the group stated that the lapses constituted an embarrassment to the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and risked projecting avoidable institutional discord.

They therefore called on the Benue State Government and relevant officials to acknowledge the shortcomings, offer appropriate explanations, and take concrete steps to ensure that future engagements involving federal representatives are handled with the dignity, respect, and professionalism they deserve.

The group  urged all stakeholders to "uphold the integrity of cultural celebrations as platforms for unity and respect, and not allow administrative lapses or political considerations to diminish their national significance".