Discourse Style of Nigerian Coup Plotters

Ngozi Anyachonkeya; Ifeoma Nwosu-Okoli

doi:10.19044/esj.2023.v19n26p89

Ngozi Anyachonkeya Reader & Director, Directorate of Affiliation, Collaboration and Linkages (DACOL) AkanuIbiam Federal Polytechnic, UNWANA, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Ifeoma Nwosu-Okoli Department of English and Literary Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2023.v19n26p89

Keywords: Stylistic features, propaganda, military interregnum, social satire, breach of logical rules

Abstract

This paper focuses on investigating selected speeches of Nigerian coup plotters, with a view to ascertaining their discourse styles. The paper speculates that the broadcast idiolect revolves around propaganda, polemics, and discursive styles, including the fox, Tartuffe or tortoise style, where they intimidate their opponents and the civilian populace into submission. This paper, by its nature, involves both qualitative and quantitative kind of research as it relies heavily on observation and library research. The military class succeeded in intervention mission but failed abysmally in the thrust of salvation. Their selfish quest made them neocolonialists in military garb. This paper, therefore, argues that their dismal failure in political governance of their Motherland ends up leaving the masses much poorer and more disillusioned than they had been under the corrupt civilian government. The unmitigated disaster the military precipitated in political governance constrained Nigerian literary patriots to publish social satires – in all genres - amidst propaganda. This implies that they reprehensively indict the military villains and continuously call for a revolution from the disconsolate Nigerians.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

PlumX Statistics

References

1. Achebe Chinua (2007). The trouble with Nigeria.Enugu:Fourth Dimension Publishers, 1983.
2. … . (2007). “The Truth of Fiction.” In African literature: An anthology of criticism and theory. Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2007.

3. Anyachonkeya Ngozi. (1999). We love men of just and other poems.Owerri: Cheey Bren Publishers.
4. …. (2005). “Style and linguistic structures in Chukwuemeka Ike’s novels.” PhD Diss. U.of Nigeria.
5. …. (2016). Ode for Ikemefuna: Poems.Owerri: Liu House of Excellence Ventures.
6. Anyachonkeya Ngozi & ChinweAnyachonkeya (2018). The anatomy of English studies. Owerri: Lui House of Excellence.
7. Asomugha, C. N. C. (2004). Fellow countrymen and women: Great maiden speeches of Nigerianmilitary leaders in national governance.Enugu:ABIC Books & Equip., Ltd.
8. Awosika Oluwale (1996). “The problem of coherence inAnthills of the savannah.” In Eagle on iroko:Selected papers from the Chinua Achebe international symposium 1990. By Ihekweazu, Edith, Ed. Ibadan: HeinemannEducational Books(Nigeria) PLC.
9. Braji Ibrahim (2010).The Nigerian military: Origins, politics, and capital accumulation. Ibadan:University Press PLC
10. Chomsky Noam. (1965). Aspects of the theory of syntax.MIT:MIT Press.
11. Fowler Roger (1981). Essays on style and language.Ed. London: Rutledge and Kegan Paul.
12. Geddess & Groosset (2007). The Complete dictionary ofEnglish language Companion.New Lanark Geddess and Grosset.
13. Inyama, N. F. (1996). “From homestead dictator to national tyrant: Evolution of the father/protectorimages in Achebe’s novels.” In Eagle on iroko: Selected papers from the
14. Chinua Achebe international symposium 1990.By Ihekweazu, Edith, Ed. Ibadan: HeinemanalEducational Books (Nigeria) PLC.
15. Leech, Geoffrey, & Mick Short (2007). Style in Fiction: A linguistic introduction to English prose.Harlow: Pearson Longman.
16. Maduka Chidi (2007). “Chinua Achebe and militarydictatorship.” In Nigerian literature in English:Emerging perspectives.By OnyemachiUdumukwu. Port Harcourt: M. & J. Grand Orbit Communications Ltd.
17. Momah, Sam. Nigeria, Beyond divorce: Amalgamation in perspective. Ibadan: Safari Books Ltd.
18. Ngara Emmanuel (1996). “The place and significance ofAnthills of the savannah.” In Eagle on iIroko:Selected papers from the Chinua Achebe international symposium 1990.By Ihekweazu, Edith, Ed. Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books(Nigeria) PLC, 1996.
19. Nwachukwu-Agbada, J. O. J. (2007). “Intervention without salvation: The military and society in Nigerian literature.”In Nigerian literature in English: Emerging perspectives. By OnyemachiUdumukwu. Port Harcourt: M. &J.GrandOrbitCommunications Ltd.
20. Obobolo Vincent (2015).“The language of literature.” InIssues in the study of language: Theory andpractice. By Kamalu, Ikenna and Isaac Tamunobelema, Eds. Ibadan: Kraft Books Limited.
21. Ojukwu C. Odumegwu (1969). Biafra: Selected speeches withjournal of events. New York: Harper &Row, Publishers.
22. Richards, I. A. (1963). Principles of literary criticism. London: Rutledge & Kegan Paul, Ltd.
23. Robinson Mairi (2007). The Chamber’s 21stcentury dictionary.Ed. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap Publishers.
24. Saussure de Ferdinand (1959).Course in general linguistics. New York: McGraw Hill Paperback Edition.