DISCURSIVE STRATEGIES IN SELECTED PROTEST PLACARDS ON THE 2024 #ENDBADGOVERNANCE PROTEST IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper examines the discursive strategies in selected protest
placards on the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protest in Nigeria. The
data for the analysis were sourced from social media platforms such
as Facebook, Google engine search and YouTube videos. The data
were downloaded, read, and analysed. Van Dijk’s (2004) sociocognitive approach to critical discourse analysis was employed for
the analysis of the data. Data analysis revealed that the texts were
characterized by discursive strategies such as actor description,
evidentiality, number game, polarization, authority, and
victimization. The discursive strategies were used to depict the
extent of suffering being witnessed in Nigeria. The protest has
become a medium through which the people can have their voice
heard through public opinion and reach out to the government to
ameliorate their sufferings.