This study examined the inaugural speeches of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and U.S. President Donald Trump, focusing on the pragmatic strategies they employ to achieve persuasion, solidarity, and legitimacy. Data for this paper, which were the speeches of both leaders, were obtained from officially verified government websites. Using pragmatic tools, the data were analysed to reveal how the use of direct address, inclusive pronouns, metaphors, and modality enable both leaders to construct shared identities, project confidence, and negotiate power. The study revealed that Tinubu’s rhetoric emphasizes inclusiveness, healing, and dialogue, reflecting a conciliatory leadership style aimed at national unity. Conversely, Trump’s discourse is characterized by emotive critiques of institutional failures, urgency, and assertive nationalism, positioning him as a corrective force. The findings also showed how pragmatic devices shape political communication by aligning language use with contextual demands and audience expectations. The study concluded that inaugural speeches provide ample data for one to understand how political leaders negotiate power through their speeches, mobilize support and reinforce authority.
Keywords: language, power, pragmatics, speech, inaugural.
Golden Ekpo
Department of Linguistics and Nigerian Languages
University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
golden4christ@gmail.com
+234 803 783 0715
Samuel Akpabio
Department of English,
University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
sf.akpabio@gmail.com
+234 706 465 7219