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President Muhammadu Buhari's inaugural speech in 2015 marked a significant turning point for Nigeria.
After a controversial election, the new president had a lot to prove to the people of Nigeria. However,
one aspect of the speech that stood out was its sophisticated and effective use of stylistic devices. This
essay will provide a summary of the stylistic analysis of his speech.

One of the most notable stylistic devices used in the speech is the use of repetition. For instance, the
president repeats the phrase "I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody"several times to emphasize
his commitment to serving the Nigerian people and not any particular interest group. This repetition not
only reinforces the message of the speech but also makes it more memorable for the audience.

Another stylistic device employed in the speech is parallelism. President Buhari uses this device skillfully
to create a rhythmic flow that makes the speech engaging and easy to follow. For example, he states, "I
pledge myself and Nigerians to the rule of law, in which none is so above the law that they are not
subject to its dictates, and none is so below it that they are not availed its protection."Here, parallelism
helps to reinforce the message of the speech and make it more impactful.

The use of rhetorical questions is also evident in the speech. President Buhari uses this device to create
engagement with the audience and challenge them to think critically about their role in fostering unity
and development in the country. For example, he asks, "Can we honestly say that we have delivered on
our commitments to ourselves and our fellow countrymen?"This question forces the audience to reflect
on their own contributions to Nigeria's development.

In conclusion, President Buhari's inaugural speech in 2015 is an excellent example of the effective use of
stylistic devices in speech-making. The use of repetition, parallelism, and rhetorical questions makes the
speech engaging, impactful, and memorable. Through this speech, the president was able to inspire
hope in Nigerians and set the tone for his presidency.