It's not something I particularly want to see, especially when I believe "popularity" seems to count negative reactions and people disagreeing with what someone says.

 

Obviously, this means that users who post negative/controversial political things that everyone dislikes, will be led to believe that they are popular, and therefore people agree with them.

 

Is there any way I can remove it, please?

 

Thanks.

No you can't remove it, it's a feature of the forum.