By Yarima Haruna, Kebbi
A fresh leadership controversy has emerged within the Military Widows Association of Nigeria (MIWA) in Kebbi State following a leadership election that produced Hajiya Maryam Isah Garba as the new State Coordinator.
The development has sparked dispute over who should be recognised as the legitimate leader of the association in the state.
The Kebbi State Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Ahmad Shehu, has called on members of the public to stop recognising the former leader of MIWA as the State Coordinator, insisting that a new leadership has emerged from an election conducted in line with directives from the national leadership of the Nigerian Legion.
According to Shehu, the former coordinator contested the election but was defeated by Hajiya Maryam Isah Garba, whom he said secured a substantial number of votes.
He said the Nigerian Legion in Kebbi State recognises Garba as the new leader of the Military Widows Association in the state.
The controversy reportedly followed claims by the former leader that 45 military widows were evicted from a military barracks in Birnin Kebbi.
READ RELATED NEWS
Saudi Arabia joins US military action as Iran conflict widens
Gov. Idris inaugurates City Boy movement office in Kebbi
However, the leadership of the Nigerian Legion in the state disputed the figure, saying only seven people were affected by the eviction.
Shehu also alleged that the newly elected MIWA leadership is aligned with the Kauran Gwandu political movement, describing the development as part of wider support for the administration and political direction of Governor Nasir Idris, popularly known as Kauran Gwandu.
In her reaction, the newly elected State Coordinator of MIWA in Kebbi State, Hajiya Maryam Isah Garba, said the association’s position is guided by directives from the national leadership of the Nigerian Legion.
Garba said the national body had expressed support for the Kauran Gwandu administration and its political direction, adding that the Kebbi chapter would operate in accordance with decisions taken by the national leadership.
Meanwhile, representatives of various communities, including Zabarmawa, Dakarkari and Fulani, expressed their support for Garba following her emergence from the election.
The representatives described her victory as legitimate, saying the election was conducted under the directive and supervision of the national leadership of the Nigerian Legion.
They called on members of the association and the general public to respect the outcome of the election and recognise Garba as the new State Coordinator.
Both Shehu and Garba appealed to residents of Kebbi State to recognize the new leadership and disregard claims that the former leader remains in charge of the association.
