THE SPEECHES OF GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES’ DEBATE OF IMO STATE 2019 ELECTION: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

Abstract

This paper discusses the debate of gubernatorial candidates in Imo State 2019 election. A Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is employed in analysing the debate. The main aim is to discover the ideologies used to control the minds of the electorate towards giving the candidates a favourable support. The theoretical framework adopted is Fairclough’s Three Dimensional Theory and van Dijk Socio-cognitive framework. The choice of CDA is as a result of non-unitary stance of the theory. This study therefore will examine the role of language, power relations and ideological strategies used by the candidates. Five aspirants participated in the debate. Their speeches will be selected using purposive sampling technique to shape the data analysis. The analysis reveals that some words and expressions which have linguistic features and ideological connotations are used to demonstrate will, commitment, power, domination so as to gain support for their election as the governor of the state. The researchers hope that the contribution to scholarship will create critical language awareness on both text producers and consumers. In conclusion, the study will promote unequal power relation and maintain social structures that sustain domination.