Reporting by The Punch indicates that the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the National Assembly’s handling of the 2026 Electoral Act Amendment. During the opening of their first plenary meeting in Abuja, the bishops drew a sharp contrast between the government’s zeal for digital tax collection and its reluctance to mandate electronic transmission of election results. The clergy argued that if the state can enforce digital compliance for revenue, it must do the same for democratic transparency.
The bishops specifically referenced the 2025 Tax Act, which mandates digital record-keeping for all citizens to ensure fiscal compliance starting this year. They labeled the National Assembly’s refusal to include similar mandatory digital safeguards for the “people’s mandate” as a display of inconsistent and contradictory positions. This critique comes just days after President Bola Tinubu signed the amended bill into law, an action that has already sparked widespread protests and agitations across the country.
This development was also covered by ThisDay, which noted that “the bishops’ stance adds significant moral weight to the opposition’s call for electoral reform.” Vanguard further validated the story, quoting Archbishop Lucius Ugorji who said, “the government must not embrace technology only when it serves to collect money, but reject it when it serves to protect the vote.” Both outlets highlighted the growing tension between the religious leadership and the legislative arm of government.
Echotitbits take:
The CBCN is stepping back into its role as a vocal moral critic of the state. By linking taxation to representation, they are hitting a sensitive chord with a public already burdened by high taxes. Expect this “Tax vs. Tech” narrative to be a major talking point for civil society groups as the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape.
Source: Arise – https://www.arise.tv/nigeria-dont-use-tech-to-rig-2023-polls-catholic-bishops-warn-inec/, February 23, 2026
Photo credit: Arise
