The Acadêmicos de Niterói samba school managed to avoid relegation during the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, ostensibly due to their tribute to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. However, their performance was noted to be subpar compared to the other schools in the Special Group, resulting in the lowest scores awarded by the judges. This outcome reflects a broader trend observed among smaller samba schools which tend to oscillate in their rankings over the years.

The author discusses the political implications of the academy's performance, suggesting that the dismal results may actually stem from a lack of political savvy and opportunity, rather than solely the quality of their show. As Lula and the ruling Workers' Party (PT) face declining public appeal, their overconfidence in being able to leverage popular support appears to have played a role in this perceived political misstep. The changing dynamics of public sentiment since Lula's earlier presidency has contributed to this situation, where new societal demands and active opposition have diluted their influence.

Ultimately, the author posits that the embarrassment stemming from this mediocre performance points to broader issues facing Lula's administration but might have been minor had it not become intertwined with the political narrative. The fallout signifies the ongoing challenges the Brazilian administration faces in reconnecting with the public and suggests that the symbolic gesture of honoring Lula could have unintended consequences for the samba school and its political affiliations.