package apport 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.5 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 1

[Rusty Waters]

My system will no longer start up the default ubuntu 16.04 terminal. I cannot open the "software and Updates" in System settings. This installed Ubuntu 16.04 is falling apart

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 16.04
Package: apport 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.5
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.8.0-58.63~16.04.1-generic 4.8.17
Uname: Linux 4.8.0-58-generic x86_64
ApportLog:

ApportVersion: 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.5
Architecture: amd64
CrashReports: 600:0:116:134735:2017-07-06 10:42:53.091179370 -0700:2017-07-06 10:42:54.091179370 -0700:/var/crash/apport.0.crash
Date: Thu Jul 6 10:42:53 2017
ErrorMessage: subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
PackageArchitecture: all
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.18.4ubuntu1.2
 apt 1.2.20
SourcePackage: apport
Title: package apport 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.5 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

[Rusty Waters (rusty0829)]

Any help appreciated. How do I upgrade from 16.04 to a 17.x, from a xterm command line. gnome-terminal and terminator will not start up on my box. THANKS!