Discursive Representation of Public Opinions on 2023 Presidential Election Political Cartoons in Selected Online Nigerian Newspapers

Abstract

Public opinion is an essential factor through which citizens express their points of view on different issues. Extant studies have examined the discourse and the functions of (political) cartoons, public opinions, and presidential elections from different perspectives with insufficient attention paid to how public opinions are expressed in 2023 political cartoons in selected online Nigerian newspaper. This study is, therefore, designed to investigate the representation of public opinions in 2023 presidential election cartoons in Nigeria in selected online newspapers with a view to identifying prominent modes in the cartoons. Kress and van Leeuwen's socio-semiotic theory was adopted as theoretical framework. Public opinions such as election is a race and do or die affair, masses are apolitical, insecurity is a monster, politicians are deceitful and strategists, and Nigeria is in a sinking state are prominent in the cartoons. The study has revealed that political cartoons portrayed diverse opinions in 2023 presidential election in Nigeria.