package emacs25 (not installed) failed to install/upgrade: installed emacs25 package pre-removal script subprocess returned error exit status 1

the error manifested immediately after boot up.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
Package: emacs25 (not installed)
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-34.37-generic 4.15.18
Uname: Linux 4.15.0-34-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.4
AptOrdering:
 emacs25:amd64: Remove
 emacs25-nox:amd64: Install
 NULL: ConfigurePending
Architecture: amd64
Date: Sun Sep 30 14:58:39 2018
ErrorMessage: installed emacs25 package pre-removal script subprocess returned error exit status 1
InstallationDate: Installed on 2018-09-30 (1 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Xubuntu 18.04.1 LTS "Bionic Beaver" - Release amd64 (20180725)
Python3Details: /usr/bin/python3.6, Python 3.6.6, python3-minimal, 3.6.5-3ubuntu1
PythonDetails: /usr/bin/python2.7, Python 2.7.15rc1, python-minimal, 2.7.15~rc1-1
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.19.0.5ubuntu2
 apt 1.6.3ubuntu0.1
SourcePackage: emacs25
Title: package emacs25 (not installed) failed to install/upgrade: installed emacs25 package pre-removal script subprocess returned error exit status 1
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)