Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole this evening reclaimed his status as the people’s darling when he was showed drinking tea with the poor widow he last week told to go home and die as she wailed while her goods were being confiscated for selling at the Oba Ovonramwen Square, Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The Comrade Governor was in his elements as he shared tea with Mrs. Joy Ifije under the watchful eyes of her delighted son.

Though a contrite Oshiomhole apologised on Friday while receiving a visiting delegation of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria in the Government House, Benin City, saying, ‘I regret my action’, most commentators still found it difficult to forgive him. He went from hero to zero as the video of the blood-chilling incident went viral on social networks.

The story, however, changed after the famous labour leader-turned politician invited Mrs. Ifije over, drank tea with her and offered her government employment in addition to a N2m gift and scholarship for her children. He also directly apologised to the widow, saying: “Let me apologies to you for the way I spoke to you, I am very sorry about the statement . . . I have also realised that even in anger, one could still achieve the same result that he set out to without provocative outburst.”

Below is the reaction of a cross section of Nigerians:

Egwunyenga Victor Ifechukwude: Oshiomhole shares a cup of tea with the Widow as He offers Job and N2m to Her. Spread the good news!!!

Churchill Umoren: Now we can rest the issue . . . Plz Comrade Go and sin no more ...

Richard Akinnola: I want to commend my good friend, Louis Odion, the Commissioner of Information of Edomite State on moves taken to get his “Oga at the top” invite the widow. As I was attacking his boss on the Facebook, l was also on line with him, briefing him that there is fire on the mountain and that l would not spare his oga until he did the “needful{. Thankfully, reason prevailed. Apologizing for a wrong done is not an act of weakness but a sign of strength. Thank you, Louis.

Kunle Adewale: Whatever we say about the comrade governor, he was smart enough to know he had gone horribly wrong. I’m sure he and many other public office holders learnt a very profound lesson from this episode. He has to do a lot more to cleanse himself from the mudbath or “roforofo” he descended into when he ‘attacked’ the hapless widow. It’s not just about the two million naira gift to her, it’s about redeeming himself in the esteem of Nigerians who are watching and condemning the thoughtless and unguarded statement he made. Talk about “WORDS ON MARBLE”!

Oluwatoyin Kole: How I wish they now use this woman as a point of contact to speak to other women who sell on the roads. Obama calls this the teachable moment. Now I finally agree that social media has a role to play in Nigeria!!! So Governors have ears? This is a new dawn.

•Photo shows Governor Oshiomhole sharing tea with the widow, Mrs. Joy Ifije, as her son watches . . . today in Benin City.

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