Unless they can bring solid evidence of Sam has some irredeemable misconduct to the table. Otherwise, this is exactly what a coup is, a grab of power, with the current power center, not knowing about it.
The board needs to explain themselves immediately, if they think this is idealogical disagreement, they should come clean, and tell us so. Not some nefarious language on Sam's candidance.
I am nobody, just a user of OpenAI's API. However, if this is how the current management structure functions in OpenAI, I will have serious concern over OpenAI's ability to execute next.
The exit of talents is now destined, OpenAI as a company is hurt irreparably.