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A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF GOVERNOR

UDOM GABRIEL EMMANUEL’S SELECTED SPEECHES

Daniel Effiong Umoh

Department of Foreign Languages, University of Uyo, Uyo.
08031565184
danieleumoh@uniuyo.edu.ng
Kingdany1@gmail.com

Abstract

The knowledge of language and its usage play a key role in defining discourse. Language is a
means of communication between individuals or group of people who share the same code. It is
worthy to note that the unit of language which is longer than a sentence is known as discourse.
On its part, discourse can be defined as “language beyond the sentence”. It means language in
use, a serious speech or piece of writing on a particular subject. Discourse analysis (DA) is the
analysis of language in use. In other words, DA takes into consideration the social and cultural
contexts of discourse. This study used the tool of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to analyze
selected speeches of Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom State. It identified
how the Governor used his speeches to exert power, dominance and control the people. It also
showed how he used language to express resistance to the main opposition party, the All
Progressives Congress, APC, in the State.

Key-words: Discourse, Discourse Analysis, Critical Discourse Analysis, Udom Emmanuel.

Résumé

La connaissance de la langue et son usage jouent un rolerôle clé dans la définition du discours.
La langue est un moyen de communication entre des individus ou un groupe de personnes qui
partagent le même code. Il convient de noter que l’unité de langage qui est plus longue qu’une
phrase est connue sous le nom de discours. Celui-ci peut aussi être défini comme un langage au-
delà de la phrase. Cela signifie “la langue telle quelle est utilisée, un discours sérieux ou un écrit
sur un sujet particulier. L’analyse du discours (AD) est l’analyse de la langue en usage.
Autrement dit, l’AD prend en considération les contextes sociaux et culturels du discours. Cette
présente étude a utilisé l’outil d’analyse critique du discours (ACD) pour analyser quelques
discours sélectionnés de M. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, Gouverneur de l’Etat d’Akwa Ibom. Elle
a montremontré comment le gouverneur a utiliseutilisé ses discours pour exercer le pouvoir, la
domination et contrôler le peuple. Elle a également montré comment il a utiliseutilisé le langage
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pour exprimer sa résistance au parti de l’opposition, le Congrès de tous les Progressistes, APC,
dans l’Etat.

Introduction

The knowledge of language plays a key role in defining discourse. Language is a means of

communication between individuals or group of people who share the same code (Ndimele,

1999:1). Communication between individuals could be termed as discourse when other factors

are considered. Hence, the definition of discourse as language beyond the sentence level or

language in use, a serious speech or piece of writing on a particular subject. The term “Discourse

Analysis” was first used by the sentence linguist Zellig Harris. According to him, discourse

analysis is the method for the analysis of language above the sentence level (Harris, 1952).

However, in a much simpler way, it can be said that discourse analysis examines language in use

in the form of a serious speech or piece of writing, on a particular subject. If discourse is

language in use, it therefore follows that, discourse analysis is the analysis of language in use

(Brown & Yule, 1983:1; Drid, 2010; Kamalu & Osisanwo, 2015). Reed (1996) opines that

discourse analysis refers largely to the study and interpretation of both the spoken and the written

communication of humans. He states further that it takes into serious consideration the role of the

speaker, the text and the listener in a speech event. Paltridge (2006:179) argues that, discourse

analysis also focuses on knowledge about the language beyond the word, clause, phrase and

sentence. It looks at patterns of language across texts and considers the relationship between

language and the cultural contexts in which it is used. Schiffrin (1994) and Kamalu & Osisanwo

(2015) share the same opinion with Reed when they all posit that the concern of discourse

analysis goes beyond the study of formal properties of language (formalist paradigm) and takes

into consideration what language is used for in social and cultural contexts (functionalist

paradigm). In other words, discourse analysis also investigates non-linguistic issues such as the
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speaker’s race, sex, age, class, occupation/profession, nationality, religion, location and so on in

the analysis of data (Kamalu & Osisanwo, 2015).

The present study therefore, aims at identifying how Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, Governor of

Akwa Ibom State since 2015, uses his speeches to exert power, dominance and control the

people. It also shows how he uses same to express resistance to the main opposition party in the

State. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), which is a functionalist perspective or paradigm of

discourse, is the approach employed to analyze these speeches. Since the Governor’s speeches

are mainly political in nature, the researcher therefore finds CDA most appropriate for this

analysis. The purpose of conducting a critical discourse analysis is to analyze “structural

relationships of dominance, discrimination, power (play), and control as manifested in language”

(Wodak, 1995, p.204).

Review of Literature

Discourse Analysis (DA) borrows its techniques from a broad field of interrelated disciplines. It

is interested in actual practices of talking and writing; an interrelated set of texts, and the

practices of their production, dissemination and reception that bring an object into being (Phillips

& Hardy, 2011). The term ‘discourse analysis’ was first used by the sentence linguist, Zellig

Harris. According to him, DA analyzes language above the sentence level (Harris, 1952). M. A.

K. Halliday was also very influential in the development of linguistic properties of discourse and

provided sufficient framework for the consideration of the functional approach to language

(Kamalu & Osisanwo, 2015). There are several approaches to discourse analysis. However, all

have one thing in common and that is the study of language use and its effects. Schiffrin

discusses and compares several approaches to the linguistic analysis of discourse. These

approaches are: speech act theory, interactional sociolinguistics, ethnography of communication,

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pragmatics, conversation analysis, and variation analysis. There are two perspectives to

discourse. There is the formalist paradigm or view of discourse. To the proponents of this

approach, the analysis of language should be based on the system of rules governing such

language, and not on any external factor or circumstances. Sentence linguists therefore

concentrate their analysis within the sentence structure. (Kamalu & Osisanwo, 2015).

The other perspective to discourse, known as the functionalist paradigm or perspective, takes

into account the special role of socio-cultural contexts in the analysis of language. The

functionalists therefore view discourse as language in use. Kamalu, and Osisanwo (2015:183)

opine that ‘this approach explores the interconnectedness between language, culture and social

context’. It is therefore in the light of this that DA will metamorphose into Critical Discourse

Analysis. According to Kamalu and Osisanwo (2015:190) CDA ‘takes into account how issues

are manifested through language. It studies the way texts and talks are used in enacting,

reproducing and resisting social power abuse, dominance and inequality’. It is therefore through

the prism of CDA we hope to examine two of Udom Emmanuel’s speeches, which are mainly

political speeches.

Theoretical Framework

Critical discourse analysis (CDA) focuses on the role of discursive activity in constituting and

sustaining unequal power relations (Phillips & Hardy, 2011). It is used as a tool to expose power

abuse and dominance that are present in written and spoken texts. According to Paltridge (2006)

“Critical discourse analysis explores the connections between the use of language and the social

and political contexts in which it occurs” (p. 179). Van Dijk (2000:353) posits that CDA is “a

type of discourse analytical research that primarily studies the way social power abuse,

dominance and inequality are enacted, reproduced and resisted by text and talk in the social and
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political context”. Accordingly, Van Dijk’s position reveals that CDA aims at resisting social

inequality and exposing social ills which ultimately affect humans negatively (Fairclough, 1995

and Kamalu & Osisanwo, 2015). Fairclough and Wodak (1997), cited in Van Dijk (2015:467),

summarize the tenets of CDA to be the following: ‘CDA addresses social problems; power

relations are discursive; discourse constitutes society and culture; discourse works ideologically;

discourse is historical; the link between text and society is mediated; discourse analysis is

interpretive and explanatory, and Discourse is a form of social action’.

In the practice of CDA, Fairclough (1989) identifies three stages (description, interpretation and

explanation stages) while O’Halloran (2003) identifies two stages (Interpretation and explanation

stages). However, if the two stages of interpretation and explanation are well understood and

applied, they could be just enough. This is because the relationship between the text and

interaction is very important. In other words, seeing the text is considered a very useful resource

in the process of interpretation (Kamalu & Osisanwo, 2015). At the explanation stage, focus is

tilted towards establishing the connections between text and socio-cultural context. From the

stages identified by Fairclough (1989) and O’Halloran (2003), the following questions are

derived: “How is a text produced? What are the factors put together in producing it? What

informs its production? Does it have any affinity with the socio-cultural setting in which it is

produced? In the course of this research, we shall attempt to answer some of these questions.

Meanwhile, from our research, it appears little or nothing has been done in the aspect of critical

discourse analysis of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s speeches. Hence this present study attempts

to do so using CDA approach.

Methodology
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The present study is text-centered, given that critical discourse analysis “studies the way texts

and talks are used...” (Van Dijk, 2000). It draws on the sampling method, which consists of

selecting two sample extracts from Governor Udom Emmanuel’s speeches. The first being his

second inaugural speech on May 29, 2019. While the second is the Governor’s Easter broadcast

on April 4, 2021. Each of these extracts is a manifestation of what CDA sets out to achieve.

Data Presentation and Analysis

Two sample extracts from Governor Udom Emmanuel’s speeches. The first being his second

inaugural speech on May 29, 2019. While the second is the Governor’s Easter broadcast on April

4, 2021.

Extract 1: 2019 Inaugural Speech on May 29, 2019.

Let me first and foremost give thanks to the ONLY GOD, who has never disappointed us; ... By
His Grace, we overcame the manufactured might of man so we can stand today to testify to the
enduring and time-tested Might of the ONLY GOD who was alive yesterday, is alive today and
will be alive tomorrow. To Him alone be all the glory!... The answer to this question is simple:
we will surpass Superior Performance which we recorded in our First Term, and on this noble
passion and vision, we strongly rely on the might and guidance of our ONLY GOD... we hereby
jointly reiterate, that it can ONLY be God who will see us through. So, help me God! Amen!

When our State was seen as a flashpoint, where a new phrase in our political lexicon was
introduced “ Warsaw saw war”, when the process of electing your leaders was likened to going
to war, when the world thought you would give in to the cloud or welter of intimidations and
violence that was swirling around us, when the vile propaganda of an impending Armageddon
was meant to create fear in you, and cow you so you would stay at home and refuse to exercise
your civic responsibility, you refused to be intimated. Not only did you go out to vote, you
formed an electoral human shield and protected your votes...

As I said in my victory speech, I extend again my hands of fellowship and bond of friendship to
my brothers and sisters on the opposite side of the political divide.

...On that score, we have achieved a lot and are rearing to do more... Our students are winning
awards all over the nation and elsewhere and this is a testament to the quality of education we
have exposed our students to. We are rearing to do more!... “Health”, they say, “is wealth” and
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our hope is to have a healthy population to help drive our industrialization agenda. We are
rearing to do more!... The second Runway at the Victor Attah International Airport has a
Category 2 Classification and work is on-going on the Taxi-way. We are rearing to do more!...
Our cocoa production is booming, several hectares of land have been cultivated for cassava
plantation and the propelling desire of my Administration is to ensure that we feed our people
and create millionaires through investments in agro-allied industries, and we are rearing to do
more! ... Today, some parts of our State now enjoy up to 18 hours of uninterrupted electricity
and we are rearing to do more! ... We remain committed to continuing this noble act of
ensuring that our people live in peace and safety... Our youths have internalized the dakkada
philosophy and today, are applying the works of their hands to earn a living rather than engage
in other unwholesome acts, and we are rearing to do more!...

In my 2019 Manifesto which we christened Completion Agenda... The list of industries we hope
to establish are included in our 2019 Manifesto... In our Completion Agenda, we will focus on
this crucial area... The list of industries we hope to establish are included in our 2019 Manifesto
and I urge you to get a copy. It is an acknowledged fact that Small and Medium Scale
Enterprises are the drivers of the economies of the developed world. In our Completion
Agenda. We hope to work towards having power for all in our Completion Agenda... In my
Completion Agenda, we will continue to rehabilitate hospitals and procure and distribute health
care equipment to our hospitals. We will continue to train and expose our medical practitioners
and bring their expertise to be at par with their counterparts elsewhere. In my Completion
Agenda we hope to bring development to...

Extract 2: 2021 Easter Broadcast on April 4, 2021.

These inspiring lessons make Easter the most important event in the Christian faith. They
provide us with vital lessons in sacrifice and love, and speak to us about the need to place the
common good above common greed. We can, and should, use this season to heal ourselves of all
selfish instincts, spirit of division and rabid ethnicism.

This speech is not one for us to reel off our score-card, which, without sounding boastful, has
been widely chronicled and distilled all over the nation, but rather, is one of eternal gratitude
for the endless love and grace of God over our affairs as a people and a State....
In the recent past, we have been blessed with life-changing projects such as Sterling
Petrochemical Plant in Eastern Obolo, ... (FEC) approved the license for us to commence the
construction of our long-desired Ibom Deep Seaport... About three weeks ago, we were also
blessed by the Invisible Hands of God to have signed a 1.4 billion dollar Fertilizer and Ammonia
plant with our Moroccan counterparts... Late last year, we launched an emergency on our
education sector and as life gradually begins to return to normal, we pledge our commitment to
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ensuring that the leaders of tomorrow, our children, are given the necessary tools to be as
competitive as their counterparts elsewhere...

Let me congratulate Ibom Air, for the recent award as the “Best Airline of the Year, 2020” and
also, the 500 thousand passenger haul record it recently attained. It is a welcome development
that in less than two years since it started commercial operations, Ibom Air has become a
dominant player in Nigeria’s aviation industry. Very soon, we shall be adding two brand new
Airbuses to its fleet. This spectacular achievement should.... Also, last weekend, our State won
“Nigeria’s Top Tourist State, 2020” at a well-attended tourism stakeholders’ event in Abuja.
Fellow Akwaibomites, all these achievements couldn’t have been possible if we were not doing
the right things for our people which correspondingly have also been celebrated by the larger
Nigerian space...

Discourse of Divinity and Resistance

Anyone who is conversant with the political situation in Akwa Ibom State will understand that

Senator Godswill Akpabio “brought” a successor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, to take over from him

when he left office on May 29, 2015. Long after he had left office, the people of the State

continued to regard Sen. Akpabio as still the Governor of the State. This is because he was so

endeared to the people majorly because of his charismatic leadership style. Successor and

predecessor had a cordial relationship though. However, in the build-up to the 2019 general

elections, things started falling apart. Sen. Akpabio defected to the ruling APC. Governor

Emmanuel, for reasons best known to him refused to follow his predecessor and decided to stay

in the PDP. Sen. Akpabio, had, as it were, “the heart of the people” and decided to flaunt an APC

candidate to replace Governor Emmanuel. Then came the resistance to a ‘power drunk’ Akpabio.

Sen. Akpabio and his new political allies were heard using phrases such as ‘Federal Might’ to

‘seize’ power in the State. Therefore, phrases like: ‘ONLY GOD’ used five (5) times in the

Governor’s speech, were employed to show a discourse of divinity and reliance on supernatural

supremacy as a means of resistance to the “Federal Might” of “the opposite side of the political

divide”. This “Federal Might” as a Nigerian political discourse metaphorizes Aso Rock and its
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oppressive use of power structure especially against perceived political enemies. Though, Tthe

Governor’s choice of military terminology used the slogan to ‘Resist’ presupposes the advent of

war, intended to wrestle Sen. Akpabio’s power dominance,, who according to the Governor, had

turned electioneering into warfare. The use of phrases such as “Warsaw saw war”,

intimidations, violence and vile propaganda by the opposition, according to His Excellency, were

meant to create fear and cow the people to stay at home instead of supporting the ruling party,

the PDP. Therefore, with a statement like: By His Grace, we overcame the manufactured might

of man so we can stand today to testify to the enduring and time-tested Might of the ONLY

GOD, the Governor reminds the people of the supremacy of God and his total reliance on the

“divine course”. The Governor rides on such divine statements, knowing how religious the

people of the State are to, at the same time, affirm his dominance over the territory called Akwa

Ibom. Mr. Emmanuel applauds the people for standing by his “Divine Mandate” and refused to

be intimated. But formed an electoral human shield and protected your votes... which

culminated to his “divine” victory at the polls.

Discourse of dominion

Having won the 2019 general elections in the State, Governor Emmanuel has to exert power to

control the minds of the people. He does so by way of giving the people hope for a better life in

all sectors of the economy in the State. Hence, the use of phrases such as: ‘and we are rearing

to do more’ used eight (8) times and ‘our Completion Agenda’ used nine (9) times. These

phrases demonstrate have a way of controlling the people’s minds to look up to the Governor as

their ‘provider’. “Completion Agenda” predicts the hegemonic certitude of his government and

presupposes the sustainability of this power. He went further to boast that in his second term he
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would do better. This deliberate act by His Excellency, the Governor, keeps the people

perpetually under his power and control so he could ‘manipulate’ them at will.

Discourse of achievement (Extract 2)

In the Easter Broadcast Speech, one would expect that the Governor would dwell on the

significance of Easter and wish Christians a happy celebration. However, a quick shift has been

noticed in the speech which the Governor himself acknowledged: ‘This speech is not one for us

to reel off our score-card’. One would attempt to ask: why? Although, His Excellency

acknowledged that it was not the right moment to ‘reel off our score card’, he still went ahead to

do just that. It therefore shows that the Governor makes deliberate efforts to control the minds of

the people. Reeling off his ‘achievements’ in a way suggests that ‘Udom is working’, ‘let us stay

with him till the work is over’, ‘let us not distract him’... Here are some of the achievements he

enumerated:

In the recent past, we have been blessed with life-changing projects such as
Sterling Petrochemical Plant in Eastern Obolo, ... (FEC) approved the license for
us to commence the construction of our long-desired Ibom Deep Seaport... About
three weeks ago, we were also blessed by the Invisible Hands of God to have
signed a 1.4-billion-dollar Fertilizer and Ammonia plant with our Moroccan
counterparts... Let me congratulate Ibom Air, for the recent award as the “Best
Airline of the Year, 2020” and also, the 500 thousand passenger haul record it
recently attained. It is a welcome development that in less than two years since it
started commercial operations, Ibom Air has become a dominant player in
Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Flaunting his score card even when it appears inappropriate at every given opportunity could be

what the Governor may have succeeded in doing. Through the act of constantly reeling out his

achievements, he succeeds in ‘pushing’ his into the minds of the people his completion agenda

ideology and giving them hope of what he intends to achieve at the end of his tenure. In fact,

boastfully, he stated in his inaugural speech that: We will surpass Superior Performance which
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we recorded in our first term. With this act, His Excellency makes the people eager to see what

he would do and keeps them perpetually under his “spell” such that they believe even without

any positive sign.

Conclusion

This paper set out to analyze how power and resistance and power and control were used in two

of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s speeches. Discourse Analysis (DA) was explained as the

analysis of language in use, that is, the analysis of the use of language taking into consideration

the social and cultural contexts. The Governor’s speeches were analyzed using Critical Discourse

Analysis (CDA) model, which is the study of often-opaque relationships of causality and

determinism between discursive practices, events and texts, and wider social and cultural

structures. It appears indeed that, His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom

Gabriel Emmanuel, used his speeches to resist power from the main opposition party, the APC,

in the State and at the same time made conscious discoursal effort to put the people of the State

under his influence as the Governor and the ‘man of the moment’.
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