Former Governor of Cross River state, Donald Duke has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost in the 2015 general elections due to the arrogance of its leaders.

Duke also stated that it was the same arrogance that stopped the party’s leaders from solving the problems which eventually led to its downfall.

The former governor made the statements on Monday, April 20, 2015, during a programme on Channels Television.

“The arrogance had it reached its zenith when five governors, five PDP governors, threatened to leave the party; and the leaders said ‘let them go’ simply because they were the governors who would be against the renomination of the president,” Duke said.

He however urged the party to re-strategize to keep it from fizzling out.

“It has to go back and re-strategize – a number of things have gone wrong. First of all, we need to have an opposition in the country. It would be very sad to allow the PDP to just fizzle out. That would be wrong, not just for the party,” he said.

“For the country, we need a strong opposition party to keep those in authority on their toes. We need to ask ourselves very salient questions; where did we go wrong?” he added.

The former governor paid a congratulatory visit to President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari after the latter defeated President Goodluck Jonathan to emerge winner of the March 28 election.

According to reports, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might expel some of its chieftains following suspicions that they contributed to President Goodluck Jonathan’s defeat in the March 28 presidential election.

Senior members of the PDP are also of the opinion that some other members conspired with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure Jonathan’s loss, Punch reports.

“The entire election was lost long before March 28 because northern elements, even those within the PDP, ganged up against President Jonathan. Even some of our leaders in the NEC and NWC are under watch because we believe they also worked against the President,” a leader of the PDP, who chose to remain anonymous, told Punch.

“There will be a meeting between our chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, and PDP state chairmen during the week, but as it is we do not even trust them,” he added.

“Some top northern PDP members who worked against Jonathan will be fished out and expelled from the party,” another source said.

“They have turned the PDP into a southern party and the only way we can survive as a strong opposition is to expel the traitors among us,” the source added.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, confirmed that the leadership of the party would discuss the issue of anti-party activities during meetings on Tuesday, April 20, 2015 and Wednesday, April 21.

The United States has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to continue to play a role in global leadership despite his failed re-election bid.

The advice was given to Jonathan by US Vice President, Joe Biden during a conversation on Monday, April 20, 2015.

Details of the conversation were disclosed via a statement issued by the US Embassy in Abuja.

It reads:

“Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan to commend him for his leadership in ensuring Nigeria’s recent elections were peaceful and orderly.”

“The Vice President noted that President Jonathan’s actions to accept the results and congratulate President-elect Buhari, as well as his steps to date to ensure a successful transition, have strengthened Nigeria’s democracy and set a strong example for Africa and the world.”

“The Vice President encouraged President Jonathan to remain engaged and play a leadership role in global issues after his presidency ends.”

Jonathan is expected to officially hand-over to President-elect Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, 2015.