Ruler from past stopping in error, returning without wife (8)
I believe the answer is:
governor
'ruler' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'past stopping in error returning without wife' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'past' could be 'over' (I've seen this before) and 'over' is found in the answer.
'without' could be 'no' and 'no' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'from' is the link.
(Other definitions for governor that I've seen before include "Head of an American state" , "US politician" , "State ruler" , "warden" , "Device to control speed of engine" .)