First Lady Janja Lula da Silva recently decided against participating in the Carnival parade at Marquês de Sapucaí, a move she described as a precaution to avoid what she termed 'persecution' of her husband, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the samba schoolAcadêmicos de Niterói. The samba school had planned a presentation honoring the president, but the event faced various legal challenges, alerts from the Electoral Superior Court (TSE), and opposition criticism, prompting Janja to reconsider her plans.

Originally scheduled to join the parade, Janja had participated in the technical rehearsal of Acadêmicos de Niterói earlier in the month. However, after the samba school's presentation became embroiled in controversy, she opted to watch the event from a hospitality box with Lula instead. Her decision reflects a broader climate of political tension surrounding Lula's administration, marked by ongoing scrutiny and challenges from political adversaries.

Janja emphasized the importance of supporting the samba school while navigating the complex political landscape. Her choice to forgo the parade illustrates the delicate balance she and Lula must maintain in the public eye, especially amid accusations from the opposition and potential electoral implications tied to their public engagements.