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Abstract
This research examines the use of rhetorical strategies - sarcasm, name-calling, and exaggeration - by presidential candidates during the 2023 Nigerian presidential election campaign. The study analyzes how these linguistic devices were employed to persuade or dissuade voters, focusing on speeches and media coverage in Nigerian newspapers and selected blog sites. Speech Act Theory provides the theoretical framework, shedding light on the performative nature of language and its role in shaping social interactions. The qualitative research approach reveals a prevalent use of these rhetorical strategies, with sarcasm employed to undermine opponents' credibility, name-calling used to demonize opponents, and exaggeration utilized to emphasize perceived strengths or positions. The findings highlight the risks these strategies pose to democratic discourse, national unity, and candidates' long-term reputations and legacies. This research contributes to our understanding of how rhetorical strategies shape power dynamics in political campaigns, promoting more informed and reflective political communication.
