Kebbi Military Widows Association Faces Leadership Dispute

The Military Widows Association of Nigeria (MIWA), Kebbi State chapter, is experiencing internal conflict regarding its leadership following the election of a new executive. Hajiya Asma’u Kanoma, the former State Coordinator, rejected the new executive, claiming the Nigerian Legion dissolved the previous leadership and conducted elections without constitutional authority.

In response, Alhaji Ahmed Shehu-Matawalle, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, clarified that the election was conducted based on a directive from the national leadership and supervised by relevant authorities. The election took place on June 18, 2026, resulting in Hajiya Maryam Garba becoming the new State Coordinator, with Aisha Sani-Ibrahim as Assistant Coordinator and Jummai Bango as Secretary.

Shehu-Matawalle emphasized that the election process was legitimate and not an imposition, countering Kanoma's assertion that MIWA is an independent association with its own constitution. Kanoma argued that her executive's tenure had not expired and that the Nigerian Legion lacked the authority to dissolve MIWA's leadership.