A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF X (TWITTER) MESSAGES ON YAHAYA BELLO’S CORRUPTION CASE

ABSTRACT This study undertakes a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of X (Twitter) messages to examine the public discourse surrounding the corruption case of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Grounded in Fairclough's (1995) three-dimensional model and van Dijk's (2008) socio-cognitive approach, the research analyzes 200 tweets to investigate how users frame the case, identify dominant themes and sentiment trends, and assess the influence of misinformation and sensationalism. The findings reveal a highly polarized discourse, with 'Accusation' (42%) emerging as the most dominant theme, portraying Bello as culpable through direct and metaphorical language. Conversely, 'Defense' narratives (18%) framed the EFCC's actions as politically motivated. Sentiment analysis indicates a predominantly negative tone (55%), reflecting public frustration and institutional distrust, which garnered the highest engagement. While less prevalent, 'Misinformation' (12%) and 'Sensationalism' (15%) significantly distorted public perception and amplified emotional reactions. The study concludes that X serves as a dual-purpose platform: a vital space for civic engagement and demanding political accountability, and a battleground for ideological contestation, partisan bias, and the spread of distorted narratives. The study recommends enhanced media literacy initiatives, transparent communication from anti-corruption agencies, and the promotion of evidence-based dialogue to mitigate the challenges of polarization and misinformation in Nigeria's digital public sphere.