GCEGovernmentFederalism in Nigeria2019

In Nigerian federalism, when there is a conflict between a federal law and a state law on a matter in the Concurrent Legislative List, which of the following applies?

AThe state law prevails because states have residual powers
BThe conflict is resolved by a referendum of the affected state's population
CThe federal law prevails to the extent of the inconsistencyCORRECT
DBoth laws remain valid and are applied simultaneously
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Why the answer is C, and why the others tempt you.
Section 4(5) of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution provides that if any law enacted by a State House of Assembly is inconsistent with any law validly made by the National Assembly, the federal law shall prevail and the state law shall be void to the extent of the inconsistency. This is the doctrine of federal supremacy on concurrent matters. A referendum is not required, and both laws cannot operate simultaneously where there is a direct conflict.
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