A light-hearted but telling identity mix-up has taken over social media, after many Malawians began confusing Speaker of Parliament Samir Suleman’s wife with MCP Deputy President Abida Mia, thanks to their striking resemblance.
Since the Speaker took office, his wife has been by his side at major events — from the swearing-in ceremonies to high-profile public functions. But her growing visibility quickly sparked confusion, with some Malawians confidently insisting they were looking at Abida Mia.
“I was shocked for a moment — she really looks like Abida Mia,” one commentator confessed. Even lawyer Khumbo Soko joined the fun, writing, “For a moment, Mrs. Suleman keeps looking like Abida Mia. Are they related or what?” Another lawyer-politician, Silvester Ayuba James, added fuel to the fire with a playful claim: “I hear they are sisters… if not cousins.”
The confusion escalated when a photo of Mrs. Suleman greeting First Lady Gertrude Mutharika led some MCP supporters to think that Abida Mia had “joined DPP,” sparking unnecessary online heat.
But the facts are now clear: the two women are not related in any way — not sisters, not cousins, not family. Just two stylish, confident women who happen to share similar facial features.
While the mix-up has provided plenty of laughs, it has also served as a reminder that even in politics, looks can deceive — and Malawi now knows for sure that these are two different personalities living two very different political lives.
