No one knows. But here is a suggestion . Maybe since Nuka wasn't fit to be king, Zira might have adopted a cub. One who looked like Scar. Then named him Kovu. Which means Scar. Scar knew Kovu wasn't his own son but as a dying wish realized Kovu was the only option for having a successor 'fit' to be king. He must have seen Nuka as a failure. He then let's Zira lead the Outsiders so she can raise Kovu 'properly'.