Former Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume on Tuesday denied insulting President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Ndume said his remarks against the president were borne out of patriotism for Nigeria.
Ndume had criticized Tinubu for refusing to allow his ministers and lawmakers access to him amid the hunger in the country.
The Borno South Senator also claimed that Tinubu’s government consists of kleptomaniacs.
Following his criticisms, Ndume was stripped of his position as the Senate Chief Whip.
However, addressing journalists after a meeting with APC’s National Working Committee, the lawmaker said: “That is something that is moving forward but whatever I said or whatever I did was out of patriotism and those issues may be said strong but they are true but then I should have talked to the party as the last bus stop.
“The President and the Senate have nothing to do with this, the President did not take offence, I didn’t insult the President, I didn’t say anything against the party but I left the party out of reach on issues and so, please I think that is all I can say.”