Governor of Tocantins returns to office after Supreme Court injunction

Governor Wanderlei Barbosa of the Brazilian state of Tocantins has returned to office following a preliminary injunction granted by a Supreme Federal Court (STF) minister. The decision, published on Friday (5 December 2025), immediately revoked his suspension ordered by the Superior Court of Justice (STJ).

Barbosa, a member of the Republicans party, marked his return by posting a photo on social media showing him kneeling in front of a gateway in the Serras Gerais region, with the caption "Thank you my God". The post on Instagram garnered over 3,000 likes and 800 supportive comments within six minutes.

Court Decision and Political Context

The injunction was issued by Minister Nunes Marques, who argued that the governor's suspension impacted the continuity of public administration on the eve of an election year, "generating serious political and legal instability". The ruling stated that removing an executive branch leader requires robust justification and unequivocal demonstration of necessity.

The decision must still be ratified by the STF's second panel in the coming days. In a statement, Barbosa's defence said it "receives with serenity the decision issued by the Supreme Federal Court today, which enables his return to the office for which he was legitimately elected".

The Procuradoria-Geral da República (Attorney General's Office) had opposed the suspension during the legal process.

Background of the Suspension

Barbosa and the state's first lady, Karynne Sotero, were suspended on 3 September 2025 by STJ minister Mauro Campbell, a decision later endorsed by the court's special panel. They are suspected of diverting public resources in 2020 and 2021 during the Covid-19 state of emergency.

The Federal Police investigation alleges that funds intended for the purchase of basic food baskets were misappropriated through illicit contracts. At the time, Barbosa was head of the State Secretariat of Labour and Social Development (Setas), the body receiving the pandemic relief funds.

The inquiry points to crimes of bid-rigging, embezzlement, passive corruption, money laundering, and forming a criminal organisation. The return of First Lady Karynne Sotero to her position is not mentioned in the new injunction.

Interim Administration's Actions

Following Barbosa's suspension, Vice-Governor Laurez Moreira of the PSD party assumed office. His first measures included dismissing all first-tier secretaries of the state administration and suspending a contract with an air taxi company for a plane used by the suspended governor.

G1 has attempted to contact Laurez Moreira for comment on the latest developments.