"My Companions are like the stars, whichever of them you follow you will be rightly guided"
Although there exists numerous verses of the Quran as well as ahadith on this matter, the following is a research into the authenticity of the narration in question.

Original sources

Hafiz ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has written the following while referencing this narration:

"It has several chains and is reported by the following Sahabah (rahiyallahu'anhum):

1.Sayyiduna 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (radiyallahu'anhu) -Musnad 'Abd Ibn Humaid (see the Muntakhab, hadith: 781)

2.Sayyiduna Jabir (radiyallahu'anhu)-Jami'u Bayanil 'ilmi wa fadhlihi, (vol.2 pg.181)

3.Sayyiduna Ibn'Abbas (radiyallahu'anhuma) - Al-Madkhal of Baihaqi.

4.Sayyiduna 'Umar (radiyallahu'anhu) - Al-Madkhal of Bahaqi & Al-Kamil of Ibn 'Adiy

5.Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu'anhu) - Musnad Ibn Abi 'Umar.

He writes further: "The wordings for this narration vary, with the closest to the above being that of Sayyiduna 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (radiyallahu'anhuma) and Sayyiduna Jabir (radiyallahu'anhu)" (Muwafaqatil Khubr, pgs.86-88)

1.Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has mentioned that though all its chains are weak, its subject matter is supported by other authentic Ahadith. (Kitabul I'tiqad; Tuhfatul Akhyar of Ml. Abdul-Hayy Laknawi, pg.57, Al-Badrul Muneer, vol.9 pg.588 and Talkhisul Habir of Hafiz ibn Hajar, vol.4 pg.464)

2.Hafiz ibn Hajar al-Asqalani(rahimahullah) has also mentioned another authentic narration that implies the same meaning. (al-Amalil Mutlaqah pgs.59-62)

3. Furthermore, although Imam Ahmad ibn Hambal (rahimahullah) had refuted the authenticity of this narration at one stage of his life, in another instance, he actually accepted it. Shaykh Ibn Taymiyah (rahimahullah) has mentioned that, "Imam Ahmad rh.a had used these words as proof and this indicates that he regarded it as authentic." (refer footnotes on Tuhfatul Akhyar pg.62)

4. Allamah San'ani (rahimahullah) has stated in his book entitled, 'Tawdihul Afkar': "As for ibn Abdil-Barr, he also used it as proof in his book, 'Al-Tamhid' and he did not comment on it. So, possibly, he considered the combination of all the chains a strengthening factor, or maybe he knew of other Ahadith that strengthen its meaning." (Ibid pg.63)
Furthermore, Hafiz ibn 'Abdil Barr (rahimahullah) even clearly disagreed with those who completely deny its authenticity. See Jami'u bayanil 'ilm, vol.2 pgs.180-181.

5.Imam Saghani (rahimahullah) has also classified it as Hasan. (Tuhfatul Akhyar, pg.54; Sharhut Tibi alal Mishkat)

6. Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) writes: "The opening paragraphs of the book of 'Uthman Al-Darimi can give the impression of it being a strong narration" (Tuhfatu Talib, pg.141)i.e. It seems like Imam 'Uthman Al-Darimi was of the view of this narration being strong.

7. Al-Muhaddith Shaykh Muhammad 'Awwamah (may Allah protect him) writes: "This hadith is debated extensively, but it does have several chains. Therefore Ibn Rajab(rahimahullah) chose to quote it and to support this issue with it." (Footnotes on: Ma'alim Irshadiyyah, pg.56)

8.Allamah Qasim ibn Qutlubugha (rahimahullah)-a renown Hanafi Muhaddith and Faqih- has stated, "it's chains have defects,but they strengthen each other." (refer Tuhfatul Akhyar pg.134)

9. The learned Muhaddith and Shafi'i Faqih (jurist),Hafiz ibn Hajar al-Haytami (rahimahullah) has classified this Hadith as Hasan (soundly authentic). (Tuhfatul Akhyar, pg.63)

10. 'Allamah Ibn 'Allan (rahimahullah)-the acclaimed commentator of Riyadhus Saliheen- said: "The defect in this chain in such a situation is harmless" (i.e. since it pertains to virtue) (Daleelul Faliheen, vol.1 pg.410, hadith:192)