Ricardo Mello Araújo, the Vice Mayor of São Paulo, used the occasion of the samba parade by the Acadêmicos de Niterói school, which honored President Lula, to voice his criticisms against Brazil's judiciary system. He labeled the parade as an act of early electoral propaganda for Lula's re-election campaign and referred to the situation as absurd, particularly singling out the exclusion of former President Bolsonaro from elections due to decisions he deemed politically motivated. Araújo, a staunch supporter of Bolsonaro, was vocally opposed to what he described as an injustice served by the electoral authorities.

In his remarks, Araújo specifically pointed to an incident where Bolsonaro met with ambassadors to question the integrity of Brazil's electoral system; this meeting had drawn scrutiny from the Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE). He expressed frustration that the legal repercussions faced by Bolsonaro were indicative of a larger issue within the judicial system, claiming that justice was no longer trusted by the public. His comments reflect a deepening divide in Brazilian politics, particularly in the context of Lula's presidency and the continuing tensions following the January 8th attacks.

Araújo concluded with a worrying assertion that numerous innocent people remain incarcerated under a narrative that he believes lacks credibility. His statements not only reveal his political allegiance but also highlight mounting frustrations among supporters of Bolsonaro regarding perceived injustices within the judicial proceedings. This scenario paints a picture of Brazil's polarized political climate, fostering skepticism towards established institutions and echoing ongoing sentiments of discontent among a significant segment of the population.