In the government named on 11 August 1998, Wodié was appointed as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Explaining his decision to join the government, Wodié said that, although the PIT was an opposition party, it also favored consultations enabling the party to contribute to national development. He remained in his ministerial post until Bédié was ousted in the military coup of 24 December 1999. Along with other ministers, Wodié was detained following the coup, but he was released on 28 December. In February 2000, Wodié announced his candidacy for the October 2000 presidential election. In this election, Wodié placed third with 5.7% of the votes. At the time of the 2000 election, the Associated Press characterized him as "an intellectual without a strong national following".