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“I am here… to serve you”: pragmatic acts and strategies in the 2019

inaugural speeches of governors in Southwest Nigeria

Article in Insights into Language Culture and Communication · May 2024

DOI: 10.21622/737

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 ILCC Insights into Language, Culture and Communication - ISSN 2812-491X http://dx.doi.org/10.21622/ILCC.2024.04.1.737

“I am here… to serve you”: Pragmatic Acts and Strategies in the

2019 Inaugural Speeches of Governors in Southwest Nigeria

Ayo Osisanwo1 and Mary Adeyemo2

1&2
Department of English, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

E-Mails: [email protected], [email protected]

Received on: 17 October 2023 Accepted on: 20 February 2024 Published on: 09 May 2024

ABSTRACT
Inaugural speeches are delivered by political officeholders to mark their transition to government and present
their vision and goals for whatever office they occupy. This paper carries out a pragmatic investigation of the
inaugural speeches of selected governors in southwest, Nigeria. The data for the study were the inaugural
speeches of Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State (GBS), Seyi Makinde of Oyo State (GSM), and
Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State (GDA). The speeches were retrieved from two Nigerian newspapers: Dailypost
and Premiumtimes which enjoy relatively wide coverage in the country. This paper adopts Jacob Mey’s (2001)
pragmatic acts theory as its tool for descriptive analysis and carries out statistical “procedures” for quantitative
data analysis. . From the analysis of the inaugural speeches, it was discovered that thirty-five pragmatic acts
were deployed by the governors to achieve six goals. The pragmatic acts performed in the speeches are
predominantly negotiated through five pragmatic tools: relevance, reference, shared situational knowledge,
voice and metaphor. The study reveals that the goals of the inaugural speeches are to present their vision for
the state, win the favour of the people, appreciate others, present challenges in the state, influence attitude
and stimulate the citizenry to action. This paper concludes that the overarching goal of gubernatorial inaugural
speeches is to aid the comprehension of the vision and mission of the governor during their tenure in office.

Keywords: Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun, inauguration speech, political speeches, pragmeme, pragmatic acts, rhetoric,
Seyi Makinde.

1. INTRODUCTION

The art of public speaking, also known as rhetoric, has are influenced and probably modified among people
been harnessed by people since the beginning of time, who make use of it (Ogunsiji 2018). Thus, it becomes
particularly political office holders. The formal study important to examine political speeches, particularly
of public speaking began approximately 2,500 years inaugural ones.
ago in Greece and Rome to train citizens to participate
in society. Aristotle (384-322 BCE) defines rhetoric Language usage in political speeches therefore
as the “faculty of discovering the possible means of constitutes a very crucial aspect of politics. It is through
persuasion in reference to any subject whatsoever” language that politicians carry people along with the
(Corbett and Connors 1999). It is the art of using government programmes and process of governance.
language to persuade. Through language, human Political leaders appropriately use language to achieve
beings are privileged to pass across the state of their their agenda (Osisanwo 2011, 200). The success
minds, such as love, hatred, despair, and joy, among or failure of any political officeholder depends on
others. With language, actions, decisions and motives his ability to manipulate the resources of language

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at his disposal to carry the people along with the manipulating public opinion or legitimising political
government programmes and process of governance power. As foregrounded earlier, the speaker achieves
(Olaniyan 2015, 135). In essence, a speaker’s success these purposes using language. The language of an
can depend largely on the way he picks his words and inaugural speech is carefully constructed first, to meet
sticks them together in a sentence and on the acts, he the expectation of the citizenry, and next, to achieve
performs with such words and sentences (Ozimede the speakers’ goals. Language, being the human
1985). Hence, language is used by the politicians to capacity for expressing inner thoughts, influences
achieve various aims in speeches which could be to thought; and if language is manipulated, so are the
inform, persuade, praise, acknowledge, appreciate, very processes of thought (Thorne 2008). Political
assert, motivate, among others. leaders, therefore, use such inauguration occasions to
express their inner aspirations for their people through
The inaugural address is one of the different types appropriate language choice and manipulation. This
of political speeches which include: acceptance means that on account of politicians’ choice of words,
speeches, farewell addresses, concession speeches, they can influence the way the led think about their
congressional speeches, campaign speeches, political leaders as well as their government. Several scholars
interviews, and acceptance speeches, to mention a have studied the use of language to communicate the
few. The practice of giving an inaugural address can intentions of political officeholders, and these will
be said to have commenced with George Washington serve as templates from which the researcher can
as far back as 1789. Since that time, it has become examine the inaugural speeches. Hence, this paper
a norm for political officeholders to deliver a speech examines the 2019 inaugural speeches of Southwest
to mark their transition to government. In Nigeria, such governors in Nigeria to reveal how pragmatic tools are
transition takes place at the federal and state levels, used to achieve different pragmatic goals.
and an inaugural speech is given, in each case to
mark the beginning of a new administration. The word
‘inauguration’ has its root in the Latin word ‘augur’ 1.1 Studies on Political Speeches
which describes the rituals of ancient Roman priests,
seeking to interpret for a public official to be deemed The use of political speeches to express persuasive
worthy to assume office. An inaugural speech is and pragmatic intentions has received a lot of scholarly
delivered at an inauguration ceremony, which is the attention. Researchers at different ends have
formal event that inducts a political office holder into investigated the pragmatic, stylistic, socio-stylistic,
a new office. The ceremony marks the beginning of pragma- stylistic and semantic aspects of the political
tenure in office, while the speech serves to inform the discourse. The political discourse is a multifaceted
people of their leader’s intention. one, which includes many genres: inaugural addresses,
victory speeches, historic speeches, campaign
The inaugural speech is used to present a leader’s speeches, political interviews, etc. Scholars have
vision and set forth their goals for whatever office worked on concession speeches (Corcoran 1994;
they occupy. It expresses an electoral candidate’s Ademilokun 2016; Osisanwo & Chinaguh 2020;
reaffirmation of the promises and goals made during Osisanwo & Alugbin, 2019), victory speeches (Irimiea
his electioneering campaign. It equally helps the 2010; Shardama 2015), Independence Day broadcast
citizenry to create a first impression of their leader. (Olaniyan 2016), election postponement speeches
In addition, the inaugural speech aims to influence (Osisanwo 2020), campaign speeches (Kalejaiye
the behaviour, attitudes or political opinions of the 2016) and rhetoric in non-fictional texts (Osisanwo &
target audience. The purpose of an inaugural address Adegbenro 2021).
also includes: winning the favour of the people,
to emphasise political attitudes and opinions, and In particular, Odebunmi & Oni (2012) examine the

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inaugural speeches of Olusegun Obasanjo, using other political opponents.

selected theoretical insights from van Dijk’s socio-
cognitive model, Paul Chilton’s concept of political Aside Ademilokun (2016), who examines concession
discourse and cognitive semantics. The study argues speeches of some gubernatorial candidates in
that Obasanjo’s wording of the Nigerian gloom in the Southwestern Nigeria, scholars have not examined the
speeches is largely an expression of his bitterness speeches of Nigerian governors. Hence, it is observed
against past Nigerian governments rather than a that scholars seem to concentrate on the speeches of
strictly objective assessment of the state of the presidents both at the global and national levels, with
country, thus projecting his messianic ideological very few discussing the linguistic implication of the
tendencies. Similarly, Olaniyan (2016) extensively speeches of other political office holders, particularly
examines the pragmatics of General Ibrahim governors even though they also pass for political
Babangida’s Independence Day Broadcast (1985- discourse. The perceived dearth of research into the
1993), focusing on the speech acts in the broadcast linguistic representation of gubernatorial speeches
with particular attention on the illocutionary acts the serves as the motivating factor for this research,
broadcasts are used to perform. The study reveals coupled with the fact that the data for this study;
that the illocutionary acts performed by the speeches 2019 inaugural speeches have not been sufficiently
are dependent on the context of the speech event examined by scholars. This study, therefore, examines
and the communicative intention of the speaker. the pragmatic acts and strategies in the 2019 inaugural
speeches of selected governors in southwest,
Studies on political speeches of political office Nigeria, and discusses how pragmatic tools are used
holders at the global level reveal that scholars have to achieve different goals.
concentrated on presidential inaugural addresses.
Slagell (1991) carries out a closed textual analysis
of Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address, 2. THEORETICAL ANCHORAGE
while Zhang (2009) examines metaphors in American
presidents’ inaugural addresses. Bringing it to the This study leans on Jacob Mey’s (2001) Pragmatic
Nigerian context, which is the context of the current Acts Theory. Mey (2001) projects the pragmatic acts
study, Sharndama (2015) carries out a critical discourse theory as a theory of action which situates speech
analysis of President Muhammadu Buhari’s inaugural acts in their appropriate socio-cultural contexts so
speech, Osisanwo (2017) examines pragmatic acts that the acts become instantiated pragmatic acts.
in President Muhammadu Buhari’s inaugural speech, The pragmatic acts theory (PAT) places a premium on
Odebode and Okunlola (2018) examine speech acts socio-cultural and societal factors in the construction
in Goodluck Jonathan’s inaugural speech. The most and interpretation of meaning. Also called pragmeme
related study to the current is perhaps Osisanwo or pract, it is focused on the situated use of speech
(2017). Osisanwo applies aspects of Jacob Mey’s acts, rather than the necessary and sufficient
(2001) pragmatic acts theory to investigate the use conditions for performing individual acts. The overall
of words in the 2015 inaugural address by President pragmatic meaning of an act is jointly determined by a
Muhammadu Buhari from a pragmatic perspective. He combination of features of the context or situation of
identifies nineteen practs and four pragmatic tools utterance in agreement with the rules entailed by such
which were deployed to achieve four goals in the a situation or context. Simply put, a pragmeme is a
speech. Osisanwo concludes that Buhari’s speech goal-directed utterance. It is a speech act which may
was crafted to allay the anxiety of many Nigerians be intended to produce a specific effect in a particular
and promote peaceful atmosphere, following the situation. In the real world, situations change and bring
propositions, promises, acknowledgements and about varying effects as they change. The dynamic
appreciation of the immediate past president and nature of the situation is a component of pragmeme

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which allows for modifications such as the changing the swearing-in ceremony at each of the three states.
or retention of roles of participants to achieve other The data were purposively chosen because of their
forms of the same act or an entirely different one. Mey contextual similarity and their social significance. The
(2001, 217) says “no conversational contribution can choice of the three states is informed by their political
be understood properly unless it is situated within the position, numerical strength and relevance among the
environment in which it was meant to be understood.” six states in southwest Nigeria. The three states are
An utterance is rooted in a context of use and the rules the most populous in the southwest as of 2019: Lagos
of a language. Thus, what is said and meant are within (with 12,772,884 inhabitants), Oyo (with 7,512,855
the societal constraints in particular situations, subject inhabitants) and Ogun (with 5,945,275 inhabitants)
to the rules of the language. The individual is situated in (The National Bureau of Statistics). In addition, the
a social context, which determines their affordances. selected governors all assumed office in 2019 and
Context here is not limited to reference in terms delivered speeches as first-term governors. All these,
of people, place, time, etc, but more importantly, coupled with the fact that there is a perceived dearth
context relates to action. Through context, we can in the field of political discourse analysis as regards
understand what an utterance stands for in such a the analysis of gubernatorial speeches informed the
manner that the true pragmatic intentions are realized. choice of these data. The speeches are subjected to
For instance, in the law court, a judge can say “I a pragmatic analysis, using aspects of Jacob Mey’s
hereby sentence you to life imprisonment”. However, pragmatic act theory as a tool for descriptive analysis.
no ordinary person in the marketplace can sentence We employed statistical details for quantitative
another to imprisonment of any sort. It would either analysis. The practs used in the speeches are itemised
be a joke or could lead to a quarrel. The model shows and grouped in the order of their frequency. In addition,
that there are two sides to a pragmeme; the activity the practs are grouped according to the goal they are
part and the textual part. The activity part shows used to achieve. Also, pragmatic reference tools such
the possible contexts of communication in which the as Reference (REF), Inference (INF), Metaphor, (M),
speaker could be. These could refer to the speaker’s Shared Situational Knowledge, (SSK), and Voice,
intonation, indirect speech acts, non-verbal elements (VCE) are identified through the analysis.
of speech, etc. The textual part, on the other hand,
refers to textual elements that are put together by
the interactants to aid the comprehension of the 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
text. Possible features within the textual part include
Reference (REF), Inference (INF), Metaphor (M), Table 1 and Figure 1 depict the frequency of the
Shared Situational Knowledge (SSK), Voice (VCE), pragmatic acts and goals employed by the governors
and Metapragmatic Joker. across the three speeches. As seen in the table,
a close examination of the use of language in the
inaugural speeches reveals that forty-five (45) acts,
2.1 Data and Method categorised into twenty-six (26) pragmatic functions
were performed by Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos
The data for this study were sourced from two State (henceforth GBS). In the speech of Dapo
Nigerian newspapers: Dailypost and Premiumtimes, Abiodun of Ogun State (henceforth GDA), sixty-five
which enjoy a relatively wide coverage in the country. (65) acts, categorised into nineteen (19) pragmatic
The data consists of the 2019 inaugural speeches of functions were performed while the speech of Seyi
three Southwest governors (one speech from each) Makinde of Oyo State (henceforth GSM) performs
in Nigeria: Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Dapo Abiodun thirty acts categorised into seventeen pragmatic
of Ogun State and Babajide Sanwo- Olu of Lagos functions. Collectively, 136 acts, categorized into
State. The speeches were delivered on May 29, during thirty (30) pragmatic functions were performed in

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the three speeches. The practs were marked with the

following pragmatic tools: inference (INF), reference
(Ref), shared situational knowledge (SSK), metaphor
(MPH), voice (VCE) and relevance (REL). The different
practs served six goals which are to win the favour
of the people, to present the vision, to appreciate
others, to present challenges or issues in the state, to
stimulate citizenry to action and to influence behaviour
or attitude.

Figure1: Graphic representation of the pragmatic acts

TABLE 1. Summary of the Pragmatic Acts and Goals

Goal Frequency Percentage Practs Frequency Percentage

(%) (%)
Historising 1 0.74
Win The Favour of the people 36 26.47
Identifying 7 5.15
Assuring 11 8.09
Asserting 8 5.88
Motivating 1 0.74
Foregrounding 4 2.94
Extending 1 0.74
Eulogising 1 0.74
Pledging/vowing 2 1.47
Stating 11 8.09
To Present the Vision 62 45.59
Informing 16 11.76
Proposing 7 5.15
Explicating 7 5.15
Promising 13 9.56
Defining 1 0.74
Projecting 7 5.15
Praising 2 1.47
To Appreciate others 13 9.56
Reminiscing 1 0.74
Thanking 7 5.15
Acknowledging 3 2.21
Describing 8 5.88
To Present the Challenges in the State 11 8.09
Recounting 3 2.21
Calling to Action 1 0.74
To Stimulate Citizenry to Action 4 2.94
Awakening/Stimulating 1 0.74
Charging 1 0.74
Instructing 1 0.74
Advising 1 0.74
To Influence Attitude/Behavior 10 7.35
Warning 1 0.74
Imploring 7 5.15
Soliciting 1 0.74
Total 136 100.00 Total 136 100.00

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3.1 Pragmatic Investigation of the Inaugural to mother and father. The civil service as well as the
private sector – We are all Lagosians. Today, I stand
Speeches/ Discussion
before you as your governor, but also as your friend,
brother; neighbor and your servant. I stand here to
The six goals realized in the inaugural speech are
ask that you join me to script and fashion this greater
winning the favour of the people, presenting the
Lagos with the creativity of our minds. (GBS)
vision, appreciating others, presenting challenges or
issues in the state, stimulating citizenry to action, and
influencing behaviour or attitude. Excerpt 3:
We are aware that the workers in Ogun State have
been confronted with a number of challenges that
3.1.1 Winning the Favour of the People
resulted in low morale and productivity. While we pass
The goal of winning the favour of the people is realized
no judgment before knowing all the facts, we wish
by the governors, using eight practs- historicizing,
to repeat the promise made to our workers during
eulogising, identifying, assuring, asserting, motivating,
electioneering campaigns. Our workers are the prime
foregrounding and extending- to re-present
resource of the State and an economy is only as good
themselves in a good light. Each of the governors
as its managers. Within the limit of available resources,
had presented themselves to the people during the
we shall endeavour to be fair, open, just and equitable
electioneering campaign, but it was amidst many other
to all our workers and pensioners. (GDA)
presentations by other aspirants. Now, after they had
been elected to office, it was time to re-present
themselves on a clean slate, especially to those who Excerpt 4:
might have been their opposition before they came We may make decisions that are sometimes
into power. uncomfortable but we will try our best to always be
just, fair and act with the fear of God. I am here as
your governor to serve you. I will work tirelessly and
Excerpt 1:
take responsibility for the workings of every sector.
“Ají ṣe bí Òyó làárí, Òyó ò kí ṣe bí baba ẹnìkan.”
(GSM) (GDA)

Translation: Oyo leads, others imitate but cannot

measure up. Excerpt 5:
To the good people of Ogun State, you have now
provided me the mandate to serve our dear State.
Excerpt 2: When I signed the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of
As your Governor, I know fully well who I am, because I Office a while ago, I solemnly did so beyond being a
know where I am from. More importantly, I know where requirement for formal assumption of office.
I am headed. I have been a part of this progressive
journey since its very inception. I know first-hand the It was much more than that. I hold it as a tripartite
concerted efforts that went into planning so many of covenant between me and God, on one part, to
the innovations we now see and enjoy. On this day, serve Him and reciprocate His faithfulness through the
I speak to the young and old, Christian and Muslim, journey so far by…(GDA)
those who trace their earliest ancestry back to this
land, and to those who came last week. I speak to In excerpt 1, GSM uses VCE to praise the people.
the poor and to the rich. I speak to the Danfo driver He speaks to the people in their native tongue, thus
as much as to the millionaire, to the fruit vendor and invoking a sense of togetherness in the people. It is a
much as to the real estate titan. I speak to employer psychological act, as the sound of a people’s native
and employee, I speak to teacher and student, I speak tongue immediately makes them feel connected.

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The speaker in return earns a favourable audience. REL. They lean on the assumption that many citizens
In excerpt 2, GBS uses the pragmatic tools of VCE, are religious in assuring the people. GDA uses the MPH
REL and M to carry out his intention. He declares it of covenant between ‘me and God’ on the one hand
with full assurance, such that the people can trust his and ‘with the good people of Ogun State’ on the other
leadership enough to follow him. It is an indirect speech hand, as GSM also makes his choice of words from
act, having the intention of soliciting the followership of the religious register e.g ‘fear of God’, ‘glory’. In the
the people. GBS takes on the position of a suppliant, Christian worldview, an individual needs to fulfill his
pleading earnestly that the people join him to build. promises as failure to do so attracts consequences.
It is very relevant, especially because the inaugural
address is the opportunity the leader has to remind the Through these practs, it is evident that the governors
people of the promises he made, and to create a good emphasise democracy, as defined by Abraham
impression of himself. He takes on various identities Lincoln to emphasise that theirs is a people-centred
to associate himself with the people so that no one government. It is the practice in most political
feels left out. The VCE therefore explains the various campaigns that many politicians bite off more than
positions he takes and from which he tries to connect they can chew. They make many promises and
with the people: age differentiation, ancestry, social create an agenda that they will not be able to follow
status, etc. He lists the various diversities and unites thereafter. The result of this has been that citizens
them in one word “we are all Lagosians”. This builds develop political apathy, and lose interest in the affairs
trust in him, as the people can rest assured that there of the state because their trust has been betrayed too
will be no favouritism, or partiality in the running of many times. Hence, to win the favour of the people, it
the states affairs. In excerpt 3, GDA also employs the is utterly important to assure the citizens. The enormity
pragmatic tool of SSK, MPH and REL in identifying with of this need explains the reason why the pract occurs
his people. He starts by asserting his awareness of the eleven times in the speeches. The governors assure
challenges of the people. He uses the metaphor (MPH) the people through various means: religion, eulogy,
of responsibility when he states that an economy is and stating of facts.
only as good as its managers. This statement serves
to stress the importance of workers to the state. By 3.1.2 Presenting the Vision
doing this, he places workers on a high pedestal, while An inaugural speech is expected to perform some
still keeping himself to the confines of the resources functions such as informing, agenda setting,
available to the state. interpretation and linkage, projection for the future,
and stimulation of action (Biria et al. 2012). Therefore,
An instance of implicature is also observed in the
presenting the vision is a vital aspect of the speech.
second line of the extract: “While we pass no
This goal is explored by the governors using six
judgment before knowing all the facts, we wish
pragmatic functions - stating, informing, proposing,
to repeat the promise made to our workers during
explicating, promising and describing.
electioneering campaigns”. The statement seems to
point an accusing finger at someone or a set of people,
especially the past administration. The speaker seems Excerpt 6:
to imply that the former governor’s attitude towards My goal is to advance the social and economic
the people’s challenges has resulted in the current low progress of this state and its people; regardless of
morale and productivity. By making this statement, your faith, social class, or your origin of birth. Our
he is perceived to be making a detour from the path vision summarises the kernel of our Agenda: “To give
of insensitivity to the people’s needs, thus gaining Ogun State focused and qualitative governance and
the people’s goodwill. In excerpts 4 and 5, GSM and to create the enabling environment for a public private
GDA use the pragmatic tools of VCE, MPH, SSK and sector partnership, which is fundamental to the

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creation of an enduring economic development and action. He uses REF and SSK to draw from the past.
individual prosperity of the people of Ogun.” (GDA) By saying that his will be a progressive administration,
he refers to the immediate past administration which
he chose to regard as retarded or unprogressive.
Excerpt 7:
Also, GSM’s choice of ‘when’ as in ‘when the need
As long as you adopt the spirit of Lagos, Lagos in turn
arises…’ is worthy of note. The choice here stipulates
shall adopt you. As I said in my acceptance speech,
a probability that the need may arise and it may not.
I am too focused on moving Lagos forward to give a
With this, he seems to say that not all the experiences
second thought to where a person may have come
and suggestions of his predecessors are useful to
from. As long as you are animated by the spirit of
him. This is a good position because; a leader must be
achievement, cooperation and tolerance, then you are
able to act with a substantial level of independence of
Lagosian. This is my motto. (GBS)
thought.

Excerpt 8:
3.1.3 Appreciating Others
We will be a progressive administration; building on
The goal to appreciate others is explored in the
the programmes of past administrations that were
inaugural speeches with four pragmatic functions:
structured properly and have been beneficial to the
praising, reminiscing, thanking and acknowledging. This
masses. When the need arises, we will consult our
goal has to do with acknowledging the past deeds
predecessors and draw on their experiences. We will
and achievements of those who had gone before the
put aside partisan politics for the good of our state…
political office holder.
With good governance, we will more than confront
poverty; we will usher in an era of progress and
prosperity. (GSM) Excerpt 9:
It is with a heart full of gratitude to God that I rise to
In excerpt 6, GDA makes an external reference to the address the people of Ogun State this morning as the
tribalistic tendencies characteristic of the Nigerian next elected Governor of Ogun State… Let me start
space. He assures the people that Lagos will be this address by acknowledging my predecessors in
developed without respect to favouritism of any kind. this office, those who have held this exalted position
From the two extracts, we can deduce and conclude since the state was created in 1976… (GDA)
that essentially, development matters to the people.
Thus, they make use of relevance to achieve this end. Excerpt 10:
GBS in excerpt 7 states his vision by making reference In this, we simply adhere to the tradition of enlightened
(REF) to an earlier information he had given about government set by those who came before us. We
‘Lagos’, and this marks out who can be a Lagosian. owe a large debt of gratitude to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed
His use of ‘as long as’ explicitly foregrounds the terms Tinubu and to Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN. Asiwaju led
and conditions to be regarded as a Lagosian. He uses the team that created the blueprint for development;
an explicature, by not saying the negative part of his … Governor Akinwunmi Ambode pushed forward in a
proposition, perhaps he expects his audience to be special manner. His efforts and actions shall be duly
able to understand that “as long as you adopt the remembered. (GBS)
spirit of Lagos, Lagos, in turn, shall adopt you; and
as long as you do not accept the spirit of lagos, lagos
in turn shall not adopt you”. Therefore, it is an indirect Excerpt 11:
speech act. GSM in presenting his vision employs I cannot end this address without expressing my
the modal auxiliary verbs ‘will’. The word shows that gratitude to God and the good people of Oyo State,
GSM is committing himself to a future course of the leaders and members of our great party, the PDP

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as well as the coalition of parties; ADC, SDP and ZLP in the country and in our State too. The army of
who worked together to ensure we were successful. unemployed youth roaming the streets should be a
matter of concern to all. Lack of gainful employment
I also thank members of my campaign organization
and lawful means of survival for these able-bodied
including volunteers all over Oyo State who believed young men and women make them prone to criminal
in our vision and worked tirelessly to achieve success. activities and immoral behaviour. We have designed
My darling wife, Ominini has been a pillar of support, multi-pronged approach to address this unpleasant
situation. (GDA)
thank you so much. (GSM)

From excerpts 9-11, we observe two forms of Excerpt 13:

acknowledgement that are common to the governors: The state of Education in the State is worrisome. We
one to God and the other to the governor’s have been regaled with stories of unpaid salaries, poor
predecessors in office. In excerpt 9, GDA shows funding, unremitted deductions, moribund projects,
appreciation through the use of VCE, thus showing controversial campus relocations, hasty appointments,
that the speaker is religious. In another part, REF and strikes etc. Confidence has been eroded, unless
SSK are used as GDA talks about those who have been we act quickly, education which is already in serious
Ogun State governor before him, without necessarily trouble will get worse. We cannot afford to have our
mentioning their names. This means that he expects education, which should be the bedrock of all our
his audience to know them. Such a statement can be development activities, our topmost industry- be in
said to be pragmatically appropriate if the intention is such a state. (GDA)
to avoid giving extraneous information; otherwise, it
becomes pragmatically inappropriate if the intention
Excerpt 14:
is for the speaker to suppress or background their
We will be a pacesetter state in education. We know
names due to political differences or disagreements.
that quality education is not possible without quality
GBS employs shared situational knowledge (SSK) to
teachers…During my campaigns, I promised to donate
praise the great deeds of past Lagos State governors.
my entire salary as governor to the Teacher’s Pension
He also makes reference (REF) to the economic
Fund. I stand by that promise. (GSM)
development carried out by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and
Babatunde Raji Fasola. In the same vein, GSM makes
reference (REF) to the event of how ADC, SDP and Excerpt 15:
ZLP formed a coalition to ensure success in the 2019 Here, we must act with urgency to execute a transport
masterplan that will fully integrate road, rail and water
election. He is grateful for the efforts put in by various
transportation into a multi-modal transport system that
people to ensure that he became the governor of makes commuting easy for Lagosians. We must also
Oyo State. He also makes reference to the campaign ensure compliance with all traffic rules and regulations
usually had before any election. on our roads. (GBS)

Excerpts 12-15 constitute different issues raised

3.1.4 Presenting Challenges or Issues in the by the governors. GDA appears the most explicit
State about the challenges within the state. GDA uses
The goal of presenting challenges has to do with VCE and REL to describe unemployment in the state.
giving a vivid representation of the challenges in the The issue of employment is dear to the hearts of
state, showing how grave or slight they are, and this is Nigerians, because unfortunately, nine out of every
exemplified in excerpts 12-15. ten Nigerians live in extreme poverty, according to the
World Poverty Clock in 2019. Economic insecurity is
Excerpt 12: an issue that pervades the heart of every Nigerian,
Unemployment has attained the status of an epidemic so it would have been unheard of for GDA to treat

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such a grave issue as flimsy. He assumes the posture people. He also employs the metaphor of ‘vowing’
(VCE) of a sympathizer and then begins to recount which is an act of commitment to something. He
the consequences of unemployment which is crime. invites the citizens to vow to commit themselves
He does not stop there but goes further to state to the development of Lagos. A vow usually has
that a solution is being proffered to the problem. The consequences, when it is not kept, whether on the
governor here makes use of the metaphor of vox conscience or the integrity or even outlook of the one
populi, as seen with the use of the words ‘stories of who breaches.
unpaid salaries’. This suggests two things: first, that the
people have a voice and second, that there is freedom
3.1.6 Influencing Behaviour or Attitude
of expression, Nigeria being a democratic state. It is an
The goal to influence attitude or behaviour is realised
indirect speech act. GDA further describes the state
with four practs: advising, warning, imploring and
of education as worrisome by mentioning the various
soliciting. The pract of soliciting is quite like that of
ways the issue affects the citizens. He finally asserts
imploring. It involves a persistent endeavour to obtain
that education is the foundation upon which all other
a response.
developments will be built, and as such, cannot be
taken with levity.
Excerpt 17:
I implore us all as Lagosians to rededicate ourselves
3.1.5 Stimulating Citizenry to Action
to contribute our individual quotas positively and
The inaugural speech is an opportunity a governor
responsibly in this new drive to reform our society and
gets to create a first impression and set a tone for his
to take it to a higher pedestal. We must imbibe the
governance; hence, Campbell et. al. (1990) posit that
spirit of being our brothers’ keeper in our daily lives at
‘it is designed to set the tone for new beginnings when
home, work, recreational places and worship centres,
a new office holder assumes responsibilities… to
and most especially on our roads. (GBS)
unify the audience … set forth the political principles
that will govern the new administration.’ (p. 21)
The political officeholder usually has an anticipated Excerpt 18:
kind of response, and he tries to achieve that goal We cannot do this without your support. I am taking
through different practs: calling to action, awakening/ this opportunity to solicit your support. We are
stimulating, charging and instructing. going to be taking decisions that may be tough in the
immediate but have long term benefits. We want you
to look at the big picture. We want you to focus on the
Excerpt 16: goal. (GSM)
Therefore, on this day, on this precious land we call our
home, let us stand together in the very face of history.
Let us vow to ourselves, and to posterity that we shall Excerpts 17 and 18 are crafted to appeal to the citizens
not just dream of a Greater Lagos. Let us agree this to cooperate with the governors in the governance of
day that we shall collectively rise up to build the Lagos the state. GBS and GSM recognise and admit the need
of our dreams. (GBS)
for collectivity on the journey to success. They use
the words ‘ask, want and implore’ to drive home their
In this extract, GBS uses the metaphor of ‘home’ to
point. GBS addresses the audience as ‘Lagosians’
implore the people to right actions. Home here is used
regardless of his being sure of whether they all are
psychologically not necessarily to refer to where a
Lagosians and this is by the statement he made earlier
person lives, but where one’s heart is; where one feels
about who qualifies to be a Lagosian. The pract is an
committed to and obliged to develop. Furthermore,
appeal to the audience’s emotions and is therefore a
the use of the words “let us” is a kind of mild directive
psychological act. Also, he introduces the metaphor
to communicate what the governor expects from the
(MPH) of ‘being one’s brother’s keeper’ to further

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foreground the idea of collectivity. The pract of present challenges in the state, influence attitude/
soliciting as used by GSM is important in the speech. behaviour and then stimulate citizenry to action.
He assumes the position (VCE) of a suppliant and begs Significantly, the three governors implied “I am here
intently for the people’s support. He refers (REF) to as your governor to serve you” to state their intention
the goal his administration will pursue in the long run and pract serving the people, thus projecting a heart
as mentioned earlier in the speech. He also makes an of service.
external reference to Ben Carson’s book “Think big”
where he mentioned the significance of looking at the This paper aligns with Osisanwo (2017) which identifies
big picture. He is realistic as he informs the people four pragmatic tools, four goals, and nineteen pragmatic
that his administration will make uncommon decisions. acts in the president’s inaugural speech. The current
The information is a face-saving technique, to prevent study, however, has identified six pragmatic tools,
unwholesome comments, later in the future. six goals, and thirty-five pragmatic acts. The increase
in number is not necessarily due to the number of
governors and speeches covered, but because areas
4. CONCLUSION of focus in national addresses often differ from state
addresses. This paper agrees with both Odebunmi and
This paper set out to examine the pragmatic acts and Oni (2012) and Odebode and Okunola (2018) that
strategies in the 2019 inaugural speeches of selected inaugural speeches are deliberately worded. The paper
governors in southwest, Nigeria. From the analysis of also agrees with Nedashkivska’s (2006, 41) assertion
the inaugural speeches delivered by Governors Dapo on the view that the presidential/governorship speech
Abiodun of Ogun State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and those of other political officeholders evoke “a
and Babajide Sanwo- Olu of Lagos State on 29th May, linguistic activity that establishes the relationship
2019, several pragmatic acts were discovered and between the president, the society and its members.”
grouped into six goals: winning favour of the people, The speeches are deliberately crafted to convince the
presenting the vision, appreciating others, presenting electorate that the governors are there to serve them,
challenges or issues in the state, stimulating citizenry saying “I am here as your governor to serve you.” This
to action, and influencing behaviour or attitude. Aside paper, therefore, has added to the existing body of
the fact that the speeches highlight the intention and knowledge on rhetoric, particularly, gubernatorial
goals of the three governors as mentioned during speech analysis. It has also aided the understanding of
their electioneering campaigns, a total of thirty the vision and mission of GSM, GDA and GBS, during
pragmatic acts were identified from 136 acts found their tenure in office, and the laid-out plans through
in the speeches. The practs were marked with six which they intend to realize their goals. Through this
pragmatic tools: inference (INF), reference (Ref), study, the power relationship between leaders and
shared situational knowledge (SSK), metaphor (MPH), followers is further understood.
voice (VCE) and relevance (REL). The study reveals
that the most important goal emphasised by the
Acknowledgement
political officeholders is to present their vision for the
state, followed by the attempt to win the favour of the The authors acknowledge the input of the anonymous
people. Next to these is the goal to appreciate others, reviewers who reviewed this paper.

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