By Pettie Makatani
Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Sameer Suleman, is at the center of political talk this week following reports linking him to opposition figure Kondwani Nankhumwa and renewed engagements with the executive.
According to sources close to the developments, Suleman is reportedly exploring political options outside the Democratic Progressive Party, including possible association with Nankhumwa’s political outfit. Malawi’s Constitution guarantees freedom of association and political affiliation.
The Speaker has not confirmed the reports but is said to maintain that his recent public engagements are in line with his constitutional duties.
Following his press briefing last week where he announced 12 parliamentary investigations, Suleman is reported to have said the probes will go on as planned and that Parliament’s oversight role must not be ceremonial.
In that briefing, Suleman listed issues for scrutiny including public finance management, service delivery, and the tobacco sector.
He told the media that committees should be on the ground to ensure public resources benefit Malawians and that reports would be presented during the mid-year budget meeting.
New reports also allege that Suleman has held discussions with State President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.
Sources say the engagement happened as the President has been meeting various political actors.
There is no official statement from State House on the matter.
On the reported links with Nankhumwa, associates of the Speaker say the two have known each other for a long time and that political differences should not translate into personal hostility.
“Different political affiliations doesn’t mean there is enmity,” one source close to Suleman is quoted as saying.
The developments come weeks after DPP Secretary General Peter Mukhito issued a press statement calling on senior party officials to respect the authority of party President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika. The statement did not name Suleman but was widely linked to him.
As of press time, DPP had not issued a further statement on the allegations regarding talks with Chakwera or meetings with Nankhumwa.
Political watchers note that Suleman’s political journey has seen shifts.
In 2024 while in opposition, he was publicly associated with calls backing Nankhumwa’s presidential bid within DPP structures.
He later aligned with Mutharika and has since been elected Speaker with support across party lines.
Governance analysts say the Speaker’s position requires balancing party politics with the independence of Parliament.
“The office of Speaker is about upholding the rules and ensuring oversight. Any political realignment will be watched to see if it affects how Parliament holds government to account,” said one analyst.
For now, Suleman continues to preside over House business.
In his recent address he emphasized that Parliament must chase every public kwacha and that committees must produce results.
With the mid-year budget meeting approaching and 12 inquiries lined up, attention will be on how Parliament handles the investigations, including those touching on agriculture and tobacco. Stakeholders say transparency in the process will be key to public confidence.
As the political season builds toward 2030, Suleman’s next moves are expected to draw even more attention in both Parliament and party corridors.
