Stance and Evaluation in the First Inaugural Speeches of Lagos State Governors: A Roadmap for the Development of Lagos State

Abstract

Several researchers have posited that political inaugural speeches embody several meanings that help the politician connect with their audience as well as convey the new administration’s commitment to leadership. This study argues that inaugural speeches also provide a glimpse into the future trajectory of a country or state. This study used Martin and White’s (2005) Appraisal Theory to investigate stance taking in the first inaugural speeches of the following governors of Lagos State: Bola Ahmed Tinubu (1999-2007), Babtunde Raji Fashola (2007-2015) and Akinwunmi Ambode (since 2015). Findings from the study demonstrate that the speeches not only predict the roadmap of the future of Lagos State or proclaim the actions of the Governors and the supposed effects of their past and future actions, but they also contain attitudinal meanings of affect, judgement and appreciation used to connect and communicate effectively with the audience, and also to present the future plans for the development of the state. These findings portray that stance taking in political inaugural speeches is a mechanism used by politicians to galvanise solidarity and support from state, boast about past performances, pledge allegiance to the positive development of the state and call upon citizens to work unanimously with them. These findings corroborate those of the researchers cited above, explicate the nature of the use of language in inaugural speeches, and also maintain that political inaugural speeches give access to the knowledge of the historical development of a political sphere as a result of the stance embedded in them.