The sanctioned method of change in the laws decided against Amlici’s bid to become king. However, he did not accept that result. There were sufficient numbers of followers that he attempted to enforce the minority choice through civil war.
In order for this to happen, there had to have been a large number who desired to follow Amlici. It is possible, although there is no evidence in the text, that these were members of important royal lineages that might have been in line to become king in the absence of Mosiah’s sons, but the change in the nature of government took away their opportunity. Then, after five years of perhaps consolidating their followers, they attempted to return to power.