A STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF IPOB SPEECHES AND JINGLES AGAINST ANAMBRA 2017 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION

Abstract

This study sets to analyze IPOB speeches and jingles against the Anambra State 2017Gubernatorial Election with the aim of highlighting the stylistic tools used to effectively persuadethe electorate to boycott the election. IPOB texts have before now attracted little scholarlyattention. The theoretical framework that drives this study is the foregrounding theory aspropounded by Niazi&Gautam (2010.) Using purposive sampling technique, 7 texts selectedfrom www.ipob.org and www.ipobgovernment.org were used for this research. The analysisreveals that IPOB used such stylistic features as repetition of ethnic slur, metaphors, hyperbole,propaganda, registers of war, ‘we’ and ‘them’ linguistic phenomena, hate speech and namecalling to discourage the masses from participation in the November 18, 2017 Anambra StateGubernatorial Election.