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Popular Benue socialite and self-styled “Benue First Son,” Machala of Benue, has strongly dismissed growing speculations and online criticism questioning the source of his wealth, insisting that his success is the result of consistent hard work and long-established business interests.
In a widely circulated statement shared with his followers on Tuesday evening, January 7, 2026, Machala addressed a viral video that suggested he should register a company to shield himself from potential scrutiny by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He described the comment as a complete misunderstanding of his identity, values, and achievements.
Expressing surprise at the narrative that his money simply “appears” without effort, Machala stated: “I honestly do not know what some people take me for. Do you think I just sit down and money appears, or that I sleep and wake up to see money? I work very hard for what I have.”
He urged those genuinely interested in understanding his background to speak with people in his immediate circle, where, according to him, his extensive business engagements are well known and documented. “If you really want to know who Machala of Benue is, ask people around me. They know. I have a lot of businesses,” he added.
While inviting legitimate inquiries, Machala drew a clear boundary on public demands for detailed disclosure of his income sources, describing such matters as strictly personal. “Nobody will know my source of income until I die. Nobody. Not even those close to me, not my parents,” he emphatically declared.
Addressing specific claims linking his wealth primarily to vast land ownership and real estate investments, particularly in Idoma land, Machala hinted that his property portfolio speaks volumes for itself. “If you go to any local government in Benue State, especially Apa, and ask who owns the most land, you will hear names. When it comes to land and property, people know what I’m talking about,” he said.
Concluding his response, the flamboyant socialite invited skeptics and critics to visit Benue State in person to witness his accomplishments firsthand, rather than relying on online speculation. He maintained that his achievements remain visible and verifiable to anyone willing to look beyond social media gossip.
The outspoken rebuttal has sparked renewed online discussions about wealth, transparency, and public perception in Nigeria’s evolving social landscape, with Machala’s supporters praising his candor while others continue to question the origins of his apparent affluence. As of now, no official response has come from anti-graft agencies regarding the matter.
