FDV Director sparks outrage with anti-LGBTQIA+ and election integrity comments

Antônio José Ferreira Abikair, the Director-General of the Faculdade de Direito de Vitória (FDV), has faced intense backlash following a video posted to his private social media accounts. In the recording, Abikair questioned the legitimacy of the Brazilian presidential election won by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, claiming it was impossible for the result to have reversed the first-round standings based on polling data.

Additionally, Abikair used derogatory language regarding sexual and gender diversity, referring to certain identity manifestations as an “aberração” (aberration) and suggesting that those who voted for the winning party should refrain from appearing in public.

The comments have prompted a formal note of repudiation from the academic center of Law at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (Ufes) and the creation of a petition demanding institutional action.