‘WAR AGAINST BAD LEADERSHIP’: ANALYSING APPRAISAL MARKERS IN #ENDBADGOVERNANCE CAMPAIGN DISCOURSE ON NAIRALAND

Abstract

This paper analyses appraisal markers (attitude, engagement, graduation) in the #EndBadGovernance campaign discourse on Nairaland, a popular Nigerian online platform. It draws insights from Martin & White's (2005) Appraisal Theory to highlight Nigeria's online public perception of governance during the 2024 protest against ineffectual governance. The study uses qualitative content analysis to evaluate user-generated conversations purposively selected from posts on Nairaland with the hashtag #EndBadGovernance. An analysis of the study data revealed a prevalence of attitude (judgment, affect, and appreciation) and engagement markers. These markers were pivotal in sustaining the protest narrative as users reinforced public dissatisfaction, amplified public discontent, and delegitimised government actors' authority. This study underscores the power of evaluative language in shaping civic engagement and resistance narratives.