Jonathan seeks Fashola’s cooperation over Lagos status

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday said  the Federal Government would need the cooperation of the Lagos State Government for the conferment of a special status on the state.

The President said this in response to Governor Babatunde Fashola’s request for the conferment of the status on the state at the presentation of a book, ‘The Jurispudence of the Living Oracles’ by civil rights activist, Tunji Braithwaite, in Lagos.

The book presentation was part of the events marking Braithwaite’s 79th birthday ceremony.

Jonathan, relying on a record by the Central Bank of Nigeria, said Lagos controls about 52 per cent of bank deposits and Nigeria’s economy and as such it is a state which no President can ignore.

He said, “Let me acknowledge the request of Governor Lagos; even in the car, when we were discussing about some areas we need to work together. Lagos is very important to us. There is no president in this country that will play with Lagos. That’s why we need maximum cooperation between Lagos and any federal authority.

“Anything that happens to Lagos will impact the country negatively. So we will work with you to see what we can do.”