“You Write with the Ink of Deceit” — Aare DOT.B Rubbishes Azu Ishiekwene Over Misleading Article

A socio-political group, The Narrative Force, has launched a scathing attack on veteran columnist Azu Ishiekwene over his recent article titled “Atiku, Not Tinubu, Is the Wrecking Ball”, accusing him of using his platform to peddle politically motivated falsehoods.In a fiery open letter signed by its Director General, Aare Amerijoye DOT.B, the group accused Ishiekwene of abandoning the ethics of journalism in exchange for political favour, stating that his article was not an honest critique but a “confessional disguised as criticism.”“You write with the ink of deceit, not justice,” the group declared, adding that Ishiekwene has become “a practitioner of yellow journalism with a golden typewriter of deception, ever eager to write against Atiku.”Rather than challenge Atiku’s policies or ideas, the group said Ishiekwene chose to mock the former Vice President’s persistence and paint him as desperate for power. “You did not examine Atiku’s ideas; you dismissed his identity. You ignored his sacrifices, belittled his consistency, and twisted his legacy,” the statement read.The group defended Atiku’s political journey, likening his determination to that of historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela, who both faced repeated opposition but stayed committed to their vision. They described Atiku not as a desperate politician, but as a symbol of resilience in a political environment that often punishes perseverance.According to The Narrative Force, the real wrecking ball is the current administration, which it says has presided over worsening economic conditions, a weakened naira, and widespread poverty. “Who turned the price of rice into a political metaphor for suffering?” the statement asked. “Who runs an economy by press statements and palliatives?”The group also questioned Ishiekwene’s silence on various controversies surrounding President Bola Tinubu, including issues related to his academic records, forfeiture cases, and age discrepancies. “Where was your journalistic rage?” they asked, suggesting that Ishiekwene’s pen goes silent when it comes to Tinubu.They further argued that Atiku has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s democratic and economic development, particularly during his time as Vice President when he championed privatization and helped expand Nigeria’s telecommunications sector. They dismissed claims that Atiku has nothing new to offer, calling such assertions “intellectually lazy.”The group concluded by saying Atiku’s continued presence in the political space is not about personal ambition but about keeping hope alive in a country where many have lost faith in leadership. “Nigeria is not lacking in leaders who retire too early; it is dying for those who refuse to be buried alive.”