package libncurses5:amd64 6.1-1ubuntu1.18.04 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration

[Russell Durrenberger]

just installing updates

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
Package: libncurses5:amd64 6.1-1ubuntu1.18.04
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-21.22-generic 4.15.17
Uname: Linux 4.15.0-21-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_modeset nvidia
ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7
Architecture: amd64
Date: Thu May 24 18:05:02 2018
Dependencies:
 gcc-8-base 8-20180414-1ubuntu2
 libc6 2.27-3ubuntu1
 libgcc1 1:8-20180414-1ubuntu2
 libgpm2 1.20.7-5
 libtinfo5 6.1-1ubuntu1.18.04
DuplicateSignature:
 package:libncurses5:amd64:6.1-1ubuntu1.18.04
 Unpacking libncurses5:i386 (6.1-1ubuntu1.18.04) over (6.1-1ubuntu1) ...
 dpkg: error processing package libncurses5:amd64 (--configure):
  package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should
ErrorMessage: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
InstallationDate: Installed on 2018-05-11 (13 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 18.04 LTS "Bionic Beaver" - Release amd64 (20180426)
Python3Details: /usr/bin/python3.6, Python 3.6.5, python3-minimal, 3.6.5-3
PythonDetails: /usr/bin/python2.7, Python 2.7.15rc1, python-minimal, 2.7.15~rc1-1
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.19.0.5ubuntu2
 apt 1.6.1
SourcePackage: ncurses
Title: package libncurses5:amd64 6.1-1ubuntu1.18.04 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

[yasaswini (yasaswinir)]

I'm facing the same issue with ubuntu 18.04.01
I get the following error:
The following packages have unmet dependencies:
 libncurses5-dev : Depends: libtinfo5 (= 6.1-1ubuntu1) but 6.1-1ubuntu1.18.04 is to be installed
                   Depends: libncurses5 (= 6.1-1ubuntu1) but 6.1-1ubuntu1.18.04 is to be installed
                   Depends: libtinfo-dev (= 6.1-1ubuntu1) but it is not going to be installed
E: Unable to correct problems, you have held broken packages.