Discursive Constructions of Power in Selected Nigerian Media Reports of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Strikes

Power, dominance, and control are not exclusive always constructed, exercised, sustained through overt acts/mechanisms of coercion. The subtle yet manipulative subtexts language in discourse are, at times, more effective vehicles (modes) utilized by powerful groups to build ratify institutional dominance over less ones. Based on the foregoing, this study examines discursive constructions power ASUU strike discourses between FGN ASUU, as reported major Nigerian newspapers – Punch, Vanguard, Nation well other credible media platforms. research sought unearth, among things, various structures deployed parties for ventilation demonstration resistance, group ideologies that underlie such choices. qualitative approach content analysis, based a purposive sampling texts sources, were adopted study. Twenty-two from 2001-2009, 2013, 2020 strikes analyzed analytical tools found within Van Dijk's (2001) Socio-cognitive model Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). frame, above models CDA, contains checklist actual cum ideological instruments resistance relevant Our analysis revealed, consistently focused strategies which tended toward legitimizing its winning positive public perception, sympathy, support itself away Union (a group). This was achieved forms propaganda appeals patriotism, ventilated number games, vagueness, apparent empathy, blame transfer, FGN's strategically-more-pronounced visibility. hand, instinctively perpetually struggled, use appropriate mechanisms too, detach government-ascribed negative image. These wrangling, incidentally, delayed even stalled resolution FGN/ASUU conflicts each case. thus recommends, focusing is truthful instead advancing specific group's ideology interest.