𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬,
This afternoon, you face your first major test as Members of Parliament — electing the Speaker of Parliament. This is not just another parliamentary ritual. It is the first opportunity to show whether you will think and act independently, or allow your political parties to think for you.
Today, you are not electing a party spokesperson. You are choosing the national Speaker of Parliament — a leader who will preside over all of you with fairness, dignity, and impartiality. And that choice will define the character of this Parliament.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮
Realistically, the contest is between two candidates: Peter Dimba of the MCP and Sameer Suleman of the DPP. Independent MPs, in particular, hold the balance of power — and the moral duty — to ensure that Parliament gets a Speaker worthy of respect and trust.
Let’s be honest. Parties will try to whip you into line. They will tell you to vote “as one family.” But this is not a family affair. It’s a national responsibility. If you vote based on party orders instead of your conscience, you will have failed the people who sent you to Parliament to think for yourself.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭
Peter Dimba has proven that he is his own man. On several occasions, he has gone against his party when principle demanded it. As noted recently on Times Radio’s Kulinji Program, he is known to be level-headed, calm, and fair. He listens more than he talks. He leads with reason, not emotion.
That is exactly what a Parliament needs — a Speaker who can rise above party lines and ensure that every voice, even the weakest, is heard. Dimba’s record speaks for itself.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐭
Sameer Suleman, on the other hand, has shown the opposite qualities. His record in Parliament is one of arrogance and aggression. His temper is infamous. Malawians have seen him hurl insults, challenge order, and even resort to physical confrontation on the floor of the House.
Is that the temperament you want in the Chair — the custodian of parliamentary decorum? Even some of his own party sympathizers have openly said he is the wrong man for the job. When even DPP-aligned commentators like Onjezani Kenani say Suleman is unfit, that should tell you something.
Let’s be honest — if Peter Mutharika wants to reward Suleman for his loyalty, he can give him a ministerial post. But to make him Speaker would be to mock Parliament itself and insult the intelligence of Malawians.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
While Kondwani Nankhumwa might have been a credible contender, the political reality is against him. His new PDP has no numbers, no structure, and no goodwill within the House. That leaves Peter Dimba as the only realistic and respectable option for Speaker.
𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐌𝐏𝐬
Independent Members and first-time parliamentarians, this is your moment to shape the legacy of this Parliament. History will judge you not by your speeches, but by the decisions you make when no one is watching — or when everyone is pressuring you to conform.
Do not start your parliamentary journey by voting for scandal indeed voting for a gangster. Do not trade your integrity for short-term favour. Today, choose substance over noise, credibility over chaos, and character over coercion.
Vote for Peter Dimba — the Speaker who will protect the dignity of Parliament and the confidence of the Malawian people.
Anything less will be a national embarrassment.
Put Malawi first.
Vote for reason. Vote for conscience. Vote for Peter Dimba.
𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬,
Mariana Nkhoma, BLANTYRE.
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐨: marianankhoma@gmail.com
