Language, Power, and Intentions: Exploring Pragmatic Functions in President Muhammadu Buhari's Inaugural Address

Abstract

This study investigates the pragmatic functions employed in President Muhammadu Buhari's inaugural 
address, aiming to fill a research gap in the analysis of Nigerian political discourse. While existing studies 
have examined linguistic features in political speeches, there is a scarcity of research specifically focusing 
on the pragmatic functions in President Buhari's inaugural address. The purpose of this study is to 
explore how language is used to convey power dynamics, and communicative intentions within the 
inaugural address. Employing a qualitative research design, the study conducts a detailed analysis of 
pragmatic functions, drawing on insights from previous research on political discourse analysis and 
pragmatics. The findings reveal a range of pragmatic functions employed by President Buhari, including 
the expression of intentions, promises, acknowledgments, appeals, and reminders. These pragmatic 
functions serve to establish authority, articulate governance priorities, and mobilize support among the 
Nigerian populace. This study contributes to our understanding of the role of language in political 
communication, highlighting the significance of pragmatic analysis in uncovering the features of 
presidential discourse and its implications for governance and society.