The leadership crisis in the Military Widows Association of Nigeria (MIWA), Kebbi State chapter, has deepened following the emergence of Hajiya Maryam Isah Garba as the new state coordinator.
The Kebbi State Council of the Nigerian Legion has recognised Garba as the legitimate leader of the association and called on members of the public to stop recognising former coordinator, Hajiya Asma’u Kanoma.
The State Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Ahmad Shehu, said Garba emerged from an election conducted in line with directives from the national leadership of the Legion.
Shehu said Kanoma participated in the election but was defeated by Garba, who secured a substantial number of votes.
The latest dispute followed a claim by the former coordinator that 45 military widows were evicted from a military barracks in Birnin Kebbi.
However, the Nigerian Legion disputed the figure, saying only seven people were affected by the eviction.
Shehu also alleged that the new MIWA leadership is aligned with the Kauran Gwandu political movement and supports the administration and political direction of Governor Nasir Idris.
Reacting, Garba said the Kebbi chapter would operate in accordance with directives and decisions of the national leadership of the Nigerian Legion.
She said the national body had expressed support for the Kauran Gwandu administration and its political direction.
Garba and Shehu urged members of the public to recognise her as the new state coordinator of MIWA and disregard claims that the former coordinator remains in charge.
Kebbi MIWA leadership crisis deepens as Nigerian Legion backs new coordinator