Seku Amadu Lobbo died on 19 March 1845 and his eldest son, also Amadu, was elected as "almami". Technically, the new "almami" did not have to be a member of the Bari family, but only someone who was learned and pious. There were several candidates, including Ba Lobbo, the son of Seku Amadu's oldest brother. Election of Ba Lobbo would have followed the Bari family tradition of succession through a collateral line rather than direct succession. Others such as Alfa Nuhum Tayru and al-Hadjdj Mody Seydu were better qualified, although not related to the former "almami". However, the council chose the son as "almami", while Ba Lobbo became the main leader of the state's army.