Osisanwo, A.2026-05-2220241753-91531753-9161ui_art_osisanwo_delegitimating_2025Critical studies in Terrorism 18(1), pp. 162-180https://repository.ui.edu.ng/handle/123456789/14055This paper examines the delegitimation of the Other in selected messages of Boko Haram (BH), using seven of the messages delivered by the longest-serving BH leader, Abubakar Shekau. The messages delivered during Shekau’s period as the BH leader between 2009 and 2021, were identified using f4analyse as a coding tool and discussed analytically using Theo van Leeuwen’s Discourse Legitimation approach to discourse analysis. The analysis unearths Shekau’s deployment of four delegitimation strategies: authorisation, moralisation, rationalisation and mythopoesis to discredit the actions and practices of the Other – those who do not associate with BH. The four delegitimation strategies are linguistically realised through negative other-presentation strategy. The messages deployed polarisation, other-condemnation, other-blaming, negative tagging (derogatory labelling/nomination) of anti-BH, otherexclusivity in perceived positive contexts, metaphorising, hyperbolising and euphemising to accentuate in-group consensus and ingroup solidarity. The strategies are deployed to negatively represent the Other in order to delegitimise their actions, beliefs and principles.enAbubakar ShekauBoko HarammessagesNigeriaother-delegitimationArticle