CULTURAL CONTEXT IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE: AN EXAMINATION OF EVIDENTIALITY AND GENERALIZATION IN THE SPEECHES OF NNAMDI KANU AND SUNDAY IGBOHO

Abstract

The paper examines the relationship between cultural contexts and discursive strategies of evidentiality and generalization in selected political speeches by Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho. This aim is to reveal how the two political activists employ evidence to establish truth and knowledge, as well as how they use claims about ethnicity and marginalization to construct collective identity and promote secessionist ideologies. The paper also highlights how substantiated claims not only enhance the credibility of the activists but also garner support from their respective audiences. The study adopts a qualitative approach, analyzing two purposively selected speeches from each activist. Descriptive analysis was used in interpreting the data, which were gathered from online sources. Using Tajfel and Turner’s Social Identity Theory (SIT) as a theoretical framework, the study demonstrates how evidentiality enhances group cohesion and fosters a strong group identity. Furthermore, the research provides evidence that references to historical events and the use of statistics lend credibility to the activists’ arguments. On the other hand, generalizations evoke shared emotions and foster collective identities, galvanizing support for their cause. By referencing past injustices, the activists evoke emotional responses tied to collective memories of suffering and marginalization. Finally, the paper recommends that activists should not only highlight negative truths but also project positive evidence that promotes national progress, especially in multilingual societies like Nigeria.