Of course there is nothing offensive calling a northerner "Aboki", but unfortunately most ignorant southerners are brought up to believe that its a derogatory word, so when they use the word, they use it in those terms. Pure ignorant.
The former governor of Eastern Nigeria's name was- Anthony "Aboki" Ochefu. Now use your tongue to count your teeth.

bamu_hanya:
Good example! Is like the word Nigger!

Exactly, let a white man call a black man nigga and see what happens.

@Topic:

It is a non offensive normal word (meaning friend) but offensively used by southerners to refer to the Hausas in a derogatory manner.
BTW, it is unusual even for the Hausas to call each other aboki directly, but prefer the use of the more respectful alternative term of mallam (meaning teacher/tutor or simply, Mr) - if the persons name is not already known to you.

In short it is not the word but the intent.
Southerners nowadays borrow these words (and even coin their own slangs) and reserve them for offensive reference to Hausas.
Such words include: Aboki (currently in vogue); Mallam (no longer in vogue); Malu (non Hausa word) and Sule (a common Hausa name), other names include Kaita (with reference to the footballer) etc.

@OP:
Yes, it is offensive and I suspect you already know that too but only pretending and therefore thoroughly deserving your ban; in any case ignorance is not and can never be an excuse.

Moderators, please keep it up, lets have more decency and decorum in the forum pls.

Texas.Cowgirl:
I still want to understand how 'Ibo' is a tribal slur.

Smh

Its becomes a slur when you are told that the correct word is Igbo by Igbo people, you kept on with Ibo, even going the length to support your choice.
Ibo is a mispronunciation of Igbo by the white man, they can be excused but you an African, who supposed to be educating them, doing it, has no sense in it. Then it means you had your own agenda for using Ibo instead of Igbo.

[size=18pt]OP deserves another ban for even daring to start this topic.

He knows he is very much aware when or how its insulting to call Hausa Aboki and when its not![/size]

Eziachi:
Its becomes a slur when you are told that the correct word is Igbo by Igbo people, you kept on with Ibo, even going the length to support your choice.
Ibo is a mispronunciation of Igbo by the white man, they can be excused but you an African, who supposed to be educating them, doing it, has no sense in it. Then it means you had your own agenda for using Ibo instead of Igbo.

Even when the term "Ibo"is used by Ibo people?

Do you know how many Ibos I've come across that spells Ibo as Ibo?

Sensitizing the issue makes it tribal

It is not the use but how the terms are used. Truth be told most Southerners use aboki n mallam in a derogatory manner. Its just like a northerner calling an Ibo person nyamir or Ibo calling a Yoruba person ofe nmanu or Yoruba calling an Ibo omo-okoro. These are used in a derogatory manner most times.

Texas.Cowgirl:


Even when the term "Ibo"is used by Ibo people?

Do you know how many Ibos I've come across that spells Ibo as Ibo?

Sensitizing the issue makes it tribal

The same way some black rappers use the word N*GGAR, the day you see Jesi Jackson or Opra, please call them that and tell them that rappers use it too. Come back and report to us your experience with that.